Edwards Can See Wisdom of Father

The world looks better to rookie Mike Edwards, and not only because he is in the major leagues.

Edwards had laser eye surgery during the off-season at the urging of his father, who had the procedure done five years ago.

“It really does change your life,” Edwards said.

He said he is a better player now that he has 20/15 vision. He wore contact lenses most of his life to correct nearsightedness, but they were a constant annoyance.

“Contacts were uncomfortable and made it hard to hit in any kind of windy conditions,” he said.

Edwards, 28, played 11 seasons in the minor leagues before signing with the Dodgers during the off-season. He is batting .271 while playing third base, shortstop, left field and right field.

Family and friends from his hometown of Mechanicsburg, Pa., attended games here and also two weeks ago in Philadelphia. In fact, his father brought to a game the doctor who performed the eye operation.

“I could see them in the stands,” Edwards said. “That was cool.”

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Jason Phillips had swelling in his left hand after taking soft-toss swings and for the third day was available only to catch in an emergency. Manager Jim Tracy said Phillips might be available to play first base today, but it is more likely that he won’t play until Tuesday’s home game.

Dioner Navarro has caught every day since being called up from triple-A Las Vegas on July 29. His promotion came after Ryan Freel of Cincinnati stole five bases against Phillips in one game.

However, Tracy said Phillips would continue to catch occasionally.

Navarro hasn’t had any better luck than Phillips throwing out runners. There have been seven stolen bases against him, he has thrown out one runner and he has twice thrown the ball into center field for errors.

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Jose Valentin is still suffering the effects of being hit by a pitch in the last game of his minor league rehabilitation assignment a week ago. His left calf is bruised, and the pain extends to his foot.... Outfielder Jayson Werth, on the disabled list because of a sore knee, is expected to begin a short triple-A rehabilitation assignment Monday.... Dodger coach Manny Mota visited the ivy-covered outfield wall of Forbes Field, the only part of the Pirates’ old ballpark that still stands. Mota was a Pittsburgh outfielder from 1963 to 1968. The team moved from Forbes Field in 1970.