SARASOTA, Fla. - Brett Tomko, who has missed a week and a half with shoulder soreness, will pitch five innings in a simulated game today.
Tomko threw hard in the bullpen Thursday but didn't get in the game. He was worried that he would wake up with pain again Friday, but he said he feels ready to go.
''Except for the usual muscle soreness, I feel great,'' Tomko said. ''I'm hoping it's all in the past. No pain is always a positive thing.''
Tomko is eager to pitch in a game partly because manager Jack McKeon has been making noises about sending him to Triple-A until he's ready.
No deal with Angels
The Reds apparently were contacted by the Angels about a trade for Bret Boone to replace the injured Randy Velarde. But the Reds reportedly asked for too much, and the Angels are not pursuing further talks.
Reflections on Burba
Dave Burba's masterful seven-inning performance Thursday was still impressing the next day. Burba threw 52 pitches - 44 for strikes - in facing the minimum 21 batters against the Pirates.
He threw 20 of his first 21 pitches for strikes and at one point threw 19 straight strikes, throwing only 52 pitches in all. In his final six innings, he threw only three balls, and he fell behind only one hitter, on a 1-0 count.
More pitching
Mike Remlinger started Friday and went six innings, throwing about 70 pitches and allowing no runs. In keeping with his progressive build-up, he added a few more changeups.
McKeon wants all his starters to go at least seven innings once this spring, and maybe twice.
''There aren't many pitchers in the majors who have gone five, and we've got three or four that have gone six and the only guy to go seven. I do things differently than somebody else, but that doesn't make me right.''
Reliever Gabe White also pitched well Friday, striking out the side in his one inning. ''That's the best I've seen him throw in awhile,'' McKeon said. Scott Sullivan and Stan Belinda each threw a scoreless inning as the Reds shut out the Twins.
Reflectionson Reggie
McKeon continues to be impressed with his move of Reggie Sanders from right field to center.
''Did you see that catch he made?'' McKeon asked, referring to an acrobatic, racing catch Sanders made in shallow center this week. ''We wouldn't make that before. He's flying.''
Pokey, too
Shortstop Pokey Reese also made a nice catch Thursday - a Willie Mays style, over-the-shoulder basket catch in the outfield grass - then threw to first to double up the runner.
''He's just continues to amaze you,'' McKeon said. ''He's such a good kid. Here he is, sitting, waiting in the wings for Barry, knowing he's not going to play. Then Barry gets hurt, and all of a sudden Pokey's back in there. He's ready.''
Junior GM
J.B. Bowden, becoming almost as famous as his dad, Reds General Manager Jim Bowden, has banned himself from the press box at Ed Smith Stadium.
Last Sunday, J.B., who turned 11 this week, was the comedic cut-up during a rather boring game with the Twins. When someone asked what the attendance was, J.B. said, ''Not very good,'' giving the writers a good laugh.
The quote made its way into USA Today as Monday's quote of the day, catching J.B. off guard and making him a nationwide celebrity. He thought it was fun but iskeeping his distance from the press box now so he won't be misquoted.
Writers have begun calling J.B. ''Junior GM.'' He responds by prefacing all conversations with ''Now this is off the record. . .''
Cuts
McKeon said the next round of cuts is not going to come until after the team's last split-squad game March 19.
''We've got to get down to size. I want to start playing my guys,'' McKeon said.
Likely candidates to go include non-roster catchers Guillermo Garcia and Tim Marx and outfielder Midre Cummings, along with roster outfielder Ozzie Timmons, first baseman Roberto Petagine and pitchers Jim Crowell, Scott Winchester and Todd Williams.
SPRING TRAINING STORIES
REDS PAGE
