James Loney

James Loney spoke publicly Friday for the first time since news broke of his traffic accident last month.

”I just want to make it clear…I was just in an accident.” Loney said. ”There were no charges filed against me.” Loney was briefly detained on suspicion of DUI after reportedly colliding with multiple cars on the Westbound 101 Freeway in Los Angeles. The incident was first reported by TMZ.com on Thursday, but a source confirms that the Dodgers had been made aware of the report prior to it being surfaced. General manager Ned Colletti said he doesn’t anticipate altering Loney’s status with the team and is expected to tender a contract on him later this month.

Authorities told the Los Angeles Times Thursday that James Loney last month was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Leland Tang, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol, said Loney “sideswiped three cars on the 101 Freeway in Sherman Oaks, stopped in the fast lane, passed out, then awakened and tried to flee the scene, only to crash again.” A previous report from TMZ indicated that Loney provided a blood sample that came back negative, but the Times says those results aren’t known yet. Although Loney still may be charged, General manager Ned Colletti said he didn’t anticipate it altering the first baseman’s status on the team. The Dodgers are expected to tender Loney a contract this month.

TMZ reports that James Loney was arrested last month in Los Angeles after crashing his Maserati into three cars and spitting at a police officer.

Loney, 27, was arrested on November 14 after hitting a Toyota, Mercedes and Mini. When officers arrived on the scene of the crash, Loney was handcuffed and taken to a hospital for breathalyzer and blood tests, which came back negative for drugs and alcohol. He was not charged with a crime. The club is aware of the incident and is said to be looking into it. The Dodgers have until December 12 to decide whether to tender him a contract for next season.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Friday on MLB Network Radio that James Loney will be the team’s first baseman next season.

Loney appeared to be a non-tender candidate for most of the season, but his strong second half has apparently bought him another year in a Dodgers’ uniform. The 27-year-old first baseman is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter and figures to get a sizable raise from the $4.875 million he made in 2011. By the way, Colletti also said that Loney could potentially hit 20-25 home runs next season. He has never hit more than 15 in a season — and that was way back in 2007 — so we aren’t taking that prediction too seriously.