Bradley Enjoys an Idol Moment

CINCINNATI —  Most people have an idol. Milton Bradley’s just happens to be the guy running from center field to the dugout when he is running out to the position this weekend.

So Bradley found the courage to ask Ken Griffey Jr. to sign the back of a Dodger jersey for him.

“He was an inspiration to me,” Bradley said. “I always loved watching him play.”

Bradley, a switch-hitter who throws right-handed, said he learned to bat left-handed by emulating Griffey’s smooth stroke. Now Bradley has a sweet swing of his own -- he is batting .306.

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Mike Edwards once figured his first big league opportunity would come in Cincinnati. Strange how things work out.

Edwards, 28, tripled and singled for the Dodgers in an 11-3 loss to the Reds on Saturday and is three for six since being recalled to replace injured third baseman Jose Valentin. A utility player, Edwards can play anywhere in the infield and outfield.

His best minor league season came in 2002 when he batted .307 in 424 at-bats for the Reds’ double-A affiliate in Chattanooga and .404 in 57 at-bats for triple-A Louisville.

But instead of calling him up, the Reds allowed Edwards to leave as a minor league free agent. The Oakland Athletics signed him, and he had two strong seasons with triple-A Sacramento and made his major league debut in 2003, going one for four.

Paul DePodesta was the A’s assistant general manager, and after he became general manager of Dodgers signed Edwards and two of his Sacramento RiverCat teammates, catcher Mike Rose and outfielder Jon Weber.

Edwards was expected to remain with the Dodgers only until Antonio Perez completes his rehabilitation assignment May 18. But infielder Norihiro Nakamura is batting .128, so the Dodgers could demote him and keep Edwards.

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Eric Gagne will make his first rehabilitation appearance for triple-A Las Vegas today regardless of the score, but if the 51s need a save, the Dodger closer will be in a position to provide it.

“We want him to go about his business the way he normally does,” Manager Jim Tracy said.

Gagne, who has been out all season because of a sprained elbow, is scheduled to make two one-inning appearances and possibly one two-inning stint for Las Vegas before being activated.

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Chuck Tiffany, 4-2 with a 2.59 earned-run average in six starts for Class-A Vero Beach, Fla., is expected to sit out two to three weeks because he had a cancerous mole removed from his back.