Dodgers looking at pitcher Kris Benson

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The Dodgers are among the teams showing interest in Kris Benson, according to the pitcher’s agent, Gregg Clifton.

Clifton confirmed that the Dodgers sent assistant general manager Logan White to watch Benson in a long-toss session last week in Arizona.

Benson was slated for his first mound session of the winter today and is planning to hold an open workout for potential suitors a week from Saturday.

Clifton said he expects five to 10 teams to be represented at the workout, including the Dodgers.

The 34-year-old Benson is dead set on being a starter, Clifton said.

Benson missed the entire 2007 recovering from rotator cuff surgery. He didn’t pitch in the majors in 2008, but compiled a 1-6 record and 5.78 earned-run average in the Philadelphia Phillies’ farm system. The Phillies released him on Aug. 31.

Benson has a career record of 68-73 with a 4.34 earned-run average over seven major-league seasons.

‘Kris is just looking for the right opportunity to go out and show he’s healthy,’ Clifton said. ‘I can’t say it outweighs everything, but opportunity is a high priority for him.’

-- Dylan Hernandez