Laser Eye Surgery

Not being able to see the ball may have contributed to Guzman's paltry batting average.

Guzman, 27, said he wore contact lenses during the season and couldn't see the ball very well.

There was nothing in Guzman's past to indicate he would have fallen off so dramatically from a .266 career hitter after six seasons in Minnesota.

"It doesn't matter what people say, they're going to enjoy the new Guzie this year," Guzman said.

"I've got something ...

I've got a little surprise for them.

My vision is better, a lot better." Club officials were mortified watching Guzman struggle last season.

To avoid a repeat of last season, the Nationals signed 15-year veteran Royce Clayton as an insurance policy in case it wasn't a one-year aberration.

With Clayton in the mix at short, the Nationals are making Guzman earn his job in spring training.

Maybe Clayton is just a psychological ploy used by the club to motivate Guzman.

Either way, it doesn't faze the club's light-hitting shortstop.

"That doesn't work for me.

They can bring [in Derek] Jeter.

This is the new Guzie right now," he said.

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The eye surgery appeared to work, at least for one day, as Guzman was hitting mostly line drives in batting practice.

"Last year is the past," Guzman said.

"This is 2006.

Everything is new.

Everybody is going to know the Guzman of a couple of years ago.

That's all I have on my mind.

The fans are going to enjoy the new Guzie.

I have a little surprise for the them." "[Tuesday] is the first day I took batting practice in the [United States], and I can see the ball real good.

I took BP in [the Dominican Republic], but it was a little bit dark," Guzman added.

Guzman declined to say what the surprise was, but there is a possibility that he could lose his starting job if he doesn't perform well.

He will be competing against Royce Clayton, who signed a Minor League deal with the Nationals on Feb.

2.

Clayton is coming off a season in which he hit .270 with two home runs and 44 RBIs with the Diamondbacks.

Guzman said he was unfazed by the competition.

Asked if the Nationals were playing physiological games with him, Guzman said, "That doesn't work for me.

They can bring in [Derek] Jeter.

This is the new Guzie right now." Injury report: Robert Fick had an X-ray taken on his right elbow on Tuesday.

The left-handed-hitting catcher/first baseman has had soreness in th...