Friday, March 19, 1999
Neagle likely to start on disabled list
Would stay in Florida to build up left shoulder
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
TAMPA, Fla. — Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said Thursday night that lefthander Denny Neagle “probably” will begin the regular season on the 15-day disabled list to continue improving his shoulder.
Expected to anchor Cincinnati's starting rotation, Neagle was found to have weakened muscles in the back of his shoulder during physical exam inations before spring-training workouts opened in mid-February. A strained left quadriceps (thigh) muscle slowed his recovery further.
Neagle, who said he's in the fourth week of a six-week strengthening and throwing program, doesn't appear to be injured seriously. He maintained his gradual progress at the Reds' Sarasota, Fla., training complex by throwing 45 pitches, including 29 strikes, in a three-inning stint Thursday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles' Single-A Frederick affiliate.
Neagle, obtained last Nov. 10 from Atlanta in a five-player trade, allowed one run and four hits while walking one and striking out five.
“I'm not damaged goods,” Neagle proclaimed as reporters approached him at his locker after he faced the minor leaguers.
But with 21/2 weeks left before the April 5 season opener against the San Francisco Giants, he's not ready enough to suit Bowden.
“Nothing's etched in stone, but today, that (putting Neagle on the disabled list) is what it looks like we're going to do,” Bowden said before the Reds played the world champion New York Yankees in an exhibition game at Legends Field.
“We acquired Denny Neagle to win 15 to 20 games and pitch 200 innings. We need to make sure that his arm is built up and strong enough to be able to accomplish that. So there's no point in our rushing when the season starts.”
Bowden added that Neagle probably will remain “in warm weather,” most likely Florida, to keep training.
The Reds' schedule cushions the impact of Neagle's absence. They have at least one day off in each of the season's first 10 weeks and will be able to use a four-man pitching rotation through much of that period.
“We're blessed at the start of the sesaon,” Bowden said. “That gives us some time to get him right.”
Neagle indicated that he has entertained the notion of being idled as the season starts.
“The worst-case scenario, as I've mentioned before, is maybe I stay down here and pitch one or two extra starts and I make my first (Reds) start April 15 or something like that,” said Neagle, who hopes to be able to pitch six innings by the end of spring training. “The key thing is getting healthy and strong early, because, let's face it: The most important months are July, August and September, and I'd like to be talking about that with this team this year.”
The next step for Neagle, who won 52 games in the last three seasons, will be an outing against Minnesota next Tuesday in a “B” game. Pitching coach Don Gullett said that Neagle's performance in that game will determine whether he pitches in a major- or minor-league exhibition in his following test, tentatively March 28.
Neagle admitted that he pitched somewhat tentatively against the minor leaguers, estimating that he threw at about 75 to 80 percent of his usual capacity. The Reds declined to station anyone behind home plate with a radar gun to measure Neagle's velocity, since he doesn't rely on an overpowering fastball even in normal circumstances.
“Obviously, you could tell I'm not cutting it loose,” an upbeat Neagle said. “I'm just getting the kinks out, trying to get the feel for some of my pitches.”
Neagle said he felt better than he did last Saturday, when he threw 48 pitches in a simulated game. Having accelerated his hand's movement from his glove to his release point, Neagle said he was pleased with his control and delivery.
“The whole thing is just to be patient,” Neagle said. “That's what I keep telling myself: Patience.”
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