SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- San Francisco Giants second baseman Jeff Kent broke a bone in his left wrist while washing his truck and will miss 4-to-6 weeks.

	Kent

Kent, the 2000 NL MVP, revealed the injury to Giants trainer Stan Conte on Saturday morning after swelling and soreness set in overnight.

Kent, who owns a white pick up with 4-inch lifts, was at a self-serve car wash in Scottsdale when he hurt himself Friday evening. He slipped and broke the vancular bone when he tried to break his fall.

"I was straddling the back of my truck when I slipped and fell," said Kent. "I didn't think much of it at the time and finished washing my truck. It started swelling up during the night and got really sore."

	“	I was straddling the back of my truck when I slipped and fell. I didn't think much of it at the time and finished washing my truck. ”
		— Jeff Kent

Kent, who had X-rays done on the wrist, might return to San Francisco for further tests, which could reveal ligament damage. He will be put in a cast for the next month.

"The fracture is at the end of the bone, so we really caught a break," Conte said. "He was pretty depressed when he came in this morning. I guarantee you he'll never wash his car again as long as he's a Giant.

Giants manager Dusty Baker said he's still expecting Kent to start the regular season as the second baseman and clean-up hitter.

"I believe in miracles," said Baker. "I want Jeff back as early as possible. Luckily it's March 2 and not April 2. We're counting on starting Jeff. If he can't go, we'll go to plan B, plan C or plan D."

Kent hit 22 homers and drove in 106 runs last year batting behind Barry Bonds. He became just the fourth player in franchise history to drive in 100 runs five straight seasons, joining Willie Mays, Bill Terry and Mel Ott. He's a three-time All-Star and set a major league record for RBIs by a second baseman over a four-year period with 475 between 1997-2000.

"I came to camp in shape and I can still run and throw," Kent said. "I can also take one-arm swings. It's not a major issue."

Conte said Kent would be unable to hit or field while his wrist is immobilized.

"It's upsetting to have an injury like this happen down here," Conte said. "I can understand a game injury or a training injury. He's such an integral part of this team and we have high expectations."

David Bell, acquired in a trade from the Seattle Mariners during the off-season, is a possible candidate to move to second from third.

Bell played second with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians and Mariners in 1998-99.

"I haven't played there for awhile, but I'll play any position they want me to as long as it helps the team win," Bell said.