MATT KEMP ONCE AGAIN SAYS HE'S JUST FRIENDS WITH RIHANNA

So after his publicity attempt with Rihanna backfired (guess you could say after people pull up your violent past), Matt Kemp is once again maintaining he's ONLY friends with Rihanna.



Despite his romantic trip to Mexico last month with Rihanna, the center fielder says he's focused on spring training and helping his team make it to the World Series.

"I can't get distracted by that," Kemp says in an interview on the L.A. Dodgers Web site of the paparazzi frenzy surrounding the Cabo San Lucas vacation. "When it's time to play baseball, that's my job. No distractions."

Though Kemp, 25, and Rihanna, 21, were spotted smooching and snuggling together, the hunky jock says the Grammy winner is "just a friend, a good friend of mine." He adds, "We went down to Mexico and had fun together."

The 25-year-old baseball pro has a lot riding on him. Considered one of the best center fielders in the league, Kemp was just rewarded with a two-year, $10.95 million contract after he won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

But will his playing the Hollywood field get in the way of his professional game?

Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who has worked with Derek Jeter during his high-profile hook-ups, doesn't thinks so. "When I see or sense it's become a distraction, that's when I'll say something. I don't like to anticipate problems."

GV Says: We desperately need Rihanna to get it together.