Sitting Out to Rest Back Benefits Saenz

Like millions of people, Olmedo Saenz lives with lower-back pain that sometimes interferes with the ability to do his job.

But unlike most people, Saenz plays baseball for a living. His back hurts when he stretches too far playing first base and when he swings too hard trying to drive in runs for the Dodgers.

Lately, his back has improved because Manager Jim Tracy has given him several days off. The difference is noticeable -- Saenz homered for the third time in four games Wednesday night after going 31 games without a home run.

“I lost my legs for a while because I wasn’t able to use my back in my swing,” Saenz said. “Now it’s feeling a lot better.”

The pain won’t go away for good. Back pain rarely does. Tracy will continue to give the 34-year-old slugger frequent rest.

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Jason Repko was supposed to be the odd man out when Milton Bradley returned from the disabled list. However, the 24-year-old rookie has forced Tracy to find a place for him because of timely hitting.

He is batting .304 in July and is five for 11 with four runs batted in and three doubles against the Reds the last three days. After trying to pull nearly every pitch for months, he is finally driving the ball to right field.

“I was rushing everything and starting my swing before the pitcher released the ball,” he said. “I’m gradually learning to trust my reflexes and let the ball get deeper into the strike zone.”

Repko still strikes out frequently. But he is getting better at recognizing off-speed pitches and is learning to lay off changeups out of the strike zone, thereby increasing his chances of getting a fastball later in the count.

“He is taking better at-bats,” Tracy said. “I’ve seen a calmness about him when he gets two strikes I didn’t see two weeks ago.”

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Outfielder Jayson Werth was unavailable because of swelling in his left knee, a condition that first occurred in Philadelphia last week. Werth woke up Wednesday in pain and visited Dr. Frank Jobe, who was unable to drain much fluid.

“I don’t anticipate it being real significant,” Tracy said.

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An MRI exam on Jose Valentin’s throwing arm was negative and he played left field for the first time during his triple-A rehabilitation assignment.

He is wearing a brace to protect his right knee.