Glaus Is a Good Contact Hitter

When Troy Glaus says he isn’t seeing the ball well, he isn’t necessarily resorting to cliche. The Angel third baseman wears contact lenses when he plays, and he says changes in his eyes this year have made it difficult to secure lenses that fit comfortably.

“I’ve tried seven, eight, nine different pairs,” he said. “The ones I have now are better than anything I’ve had.... Hopefully, before not too long, we’ll have something that really works.”

That could be an unsettling prospect for opposing pitchers. Troublesome contacts and all, Glaus is hitting .290 and ranks fourth in the American League with 27 runs batted in.

Glaus could be rid of his lenses if he were willing to undergo corrective laser surgery. But he sees no point in risking the complications of surgery, no matter how small the odds, in a profession in which clear vision is critical.

“I don’t want to be that one-tenth of 1% and not be able to play anymore,” he said. “If I can correct it by wearing contacts, that’s a way.”

Pitcher Jarrod Washburn opted for laser surgery last year, accepting the risk after extensive research about the procedure and doctors that perform it. He is thrilled with the results.

“I see better now than I did with my contacts,” he said.

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There is no friendly wager between the Molina brothers to see who finishes the year with the better batting average. Bengie Molina, the Angels’ starting catcher, is hitting .326. Jose Molina, the starting catcher at triple-A Salt Lake, is hitting .330.

“I don’t like any competition with him,” Bengie Molina said. “I just hope he does so well that he can get up here.”

Jorge Fabregas, the Angels’ veteran backup catcher, is hitting .105 in 19 at-bats. But, with the Angels hoping Bengie Molina can catch 125 to 135 games this season, the team does not expect offense from a backup playing once a week. Both Fabregas and Jose Molina are considered excellent defenders.

“Right now, we’re happy with Bengie and Jorge,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “When you have someone as talented as Jose if something needed to be done, you feel very comfortable with your catching.”

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With Benji Gil expected back by month’s end and Shawn Wooten expected back next month, and with the team winning in the meantime, the Angels are no longer actively searching for a right-handed hitter. A team official said they do not plan to pursue a trade for the Texas Rangers’ Gabe Kapler, who is available.

TODAY

ANGELS’

SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

(1-3, 6.53 ERA)

vs.

BLUE JAYS’

JUSTIN MILLER

(1-0, 8.38 ERA)

SkyDome, Toronto, 10 a.m.

TV--No TV.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Update--Schoeneweis is the only Angel starter who has not recorded a victory during the eight-game winning streak. The Angels knocked out Miller in the fourth inning of an 11-4 victory in Anaheim last week.