Wednesday, April 21, 1999
Neagle to debut tonight
Lefty comes up from Triple-A
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Denny Neagle is climbing aboard late, but he expects to have a window seat for the best part of the ride.
The Reds left-hander will make his regular-season debut tonight against the New York Mets, having strengthened the back of his throwing shoulder since his pre-spring training physical.
Neagle's long-range perspective has kept him upbeat throughout the process, which included six starts against minor-league competition or in simulated conditions. He remained in high spirits Tuesday.
“Hopefully this will help me toward the end of the season,” said Neagle, who won 52 games in the last three seasons. “I'll be able to finish strong in August and September when it matters.”
Neagle has won a total of at least 12 games over the last five years in every month except August (9-10) and September (9-6).
Reds pitching coach Don Gullett hoped that Neagle will have enough stamina and effectiveness to throw about 100 pitches against the Mets. Neagle threw 94 pitches in his last start, a 5ô-inning outing for the Reds' Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate against Columbus on April 13.
“If he's pitch-efficient, he could go into the seventh inning. But we'd be satisfied with six,” Gullett said.
Neagle originally was expected to start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. But Thursday's rainout in Chicago forced the Reds to alter their plans.
The Reds obtained Neagle, 30, from Atlanta on Nov.10 along with outfielder Michael Tucker and minor-league right-hander Rob Bell for second baseman Bret Boone and left-hander Mike Remlinger.
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