Alvarez Grateful for Second Chance

It’s not often a player can quit, change his mind, and be given a second chance.

Wilson Alvarez is appreciative the Dodgers are letting him return after he told them Sunday he would retire. Instead of going out with a whimper, he wants to finish by helping the team challenge for a division title.

His role will change as a concession to his fragile arm. Instead of being a setup reliever who must be prepared to pitch every day, he will become the long man, able to pitch two innings then take a day or two off.

After two stints on the disabled list and lingering soreness all season, Alvarez needs more recovery time.

“My arm is limiting me,” he said. “I can’t really complain. It gave me 14 good years in the big leagues.

“But every day it is bothering me. My arm is a big question mark.”

The 35-year-old left-hander told Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn that he wanted to walk away from the game the right way. Quitting after giving up a game-winning home run -- as he did Sunday to Jim Edmonds -- didn’t sit well with him.

“At first I saw it as a sign to let it go and give somebody else a chance,” he said. “Everybody called me, saying I still have something left. I didn’t want people to think I’m quitting.”

He will forfeit about $2 million in salary by retiring after the season. But he has made nearly $49 million in his career. His 102 victories are the most by a Venezuelan pitcher.

“I’d been thinking about retiring since spring training when I hurt my shoulder and went on the disabled list,” he said.

He’s already thinking about what to do after the season. “I would like to coach one day,” he said. “I have a lot to show young guys.”

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Mike Edwards caught Odalis Perez’s bullpen session before the game so he could remember how to strap on shin guards.

With Jason Phillips sidelined after being hit on the left hand by a pitch Tuesday, Dioner Navarro was the only catcher available. Phillips told Tracy he was willing to get behind the plate, but if the hand proved too painful it would be Edwards’ turn.

Edwards had caught in the bullpen a few times in the minors in 2001, which apparently qualifies him to become the emergency catcher.

Oh, and he’s eager. That helps.

“It would be fun,” he said. “I’ll definitely do it.”