Saturday, May 2, 1998

BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Brandon Larson

MILWAUKEE -- Brandon Larson had yet to consistently show -- even at Single-A -- why the Reds made him their No. 1 draft pick in 1997. Now he'll have to wait another year.

Larson is out for the rest of the season after suffering a season-ending injury to his left knee while sliding into home plate Wednesday. Reds medical director Tim Kremchek will examine Larson later this week, but initial exams indicate torn ligaments -- the posterior cruciate and the medial collateral. Surgery is tentatively scheduled for next week.

It's the second season-ending injury for Larson in his two-year pro career. After being drafted by the Reds last June, the former College World Series hero from Louisiana State played 11 games (hitting .268 at Double-A) before hurting his ankle and missing the rest of the season.

Larson, 21, got off to a horrible start this season, striking out in his first seven at-bats. But recently he had heated up, going on a six-game hitting streak for Single-A Burlington in which he was 8-for-23 and raised his batting average to .221. He had nine RBI in 18 games.

Williams back

The Reds recalled relief pitcher Todd Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, filling the roster spot opened when Danny Graves was sent down Monday.

Williams was thrown into the fire Friday, relieving Mike Remlinger in the sixth. He gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning. It was his first major-league action since 1995 with the Dodgers.

Williams was on a tear at Indy -- a 0.00 ERA, six saves and nine strikeouts in 10 appearances. He was with the Reds for five days after Sean Casey got hurt last month, but didn't pitch and was sent down again.

On the mend

Outfielders Reggie Sanders and Jon Nunnally, both of whom were injured during Monday's game in Cincinnati, are getting better and could have played Friday. But manager Jack McKeon decided to sit them because the outfield grass was slippery from rain. Pat Watkins and Dmitri Young started instead.

Sanders hyperextended his back going for a ball and Nunnally strained his hamstring chasing a fly Monday. Neither has started since, but Nunnally went in as a replacement Friday and was 0-for-2.

Rehab update

Sean Casey was scheduled to begin his rehab assignment Thursday but Indianapolis was rained out. Melvin Nieves is hitting .303 in nine games on rehab.

In good spirits

Pitcher Scott Winchester said his good friend Jim Crowell is "in good spirits" after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a tear in his rotator cuff. Crowell, who was 0-3 at Double-A this year, and Winchester came up together through the Cleveland and Reds' minor-league systems and roomed together at spring training this year.

Crowell, one of the Reds' top pitching prospects, will be out 6-to-8 weeks.

"He just wants to get back and be healthy," Winchester said. "He knew he wasn't throwing as well as he could."

Up close

McKeon will be a guest on the ESPN show Up Close with Chris Myers when the Reds visit Los Angeles at the end of the month. And he'll be bringing a prop -- one of his famous cigars.

"I'll make sure I have something they can see," he said. "I'll hold it right out there in front."

Up next

Reds' right-hander David Weathers (2-1, 4.44), coming off eight shutout innings last weekend in New York, opposes Milwaukee right-hander Jeff Juden (3-1, 3.48) in a 2:05 p.m. start from County Stadium.