Tuesday, June 22, 1999
Reds' rotation may turn to White
Villone's spot in jeopardy
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PHOENIX — Reds manager Jack McKeon narrowed his list of possible starting pitchers for Thursday's series opener in Houston to the club's left-handed relievers — Gabe White and Dennys Reyes, besides incum bent Ron Villone.
Given the Reds' stated reluctance to remove Reyes from the bullpen, White would appear to be the most likely choice if Villone is replaced.
“If I'm asked to start, I'll do the best I can,” White said Monday.
McKeon said that he still hadn't decided whether Villone, who has been hit hard in three starts, will stay in the rotation. But McKeon did say “It could be any one of the left-handers, I imagine.”
White and Reyes spent most of their minor-league careers as starters. By contrast, right-handers Scott Sullivan and Danny Graves have been almost exclusively relievers. Scott Williamson, the team's most effective reliever, switched to the bullpen just this year, but the Reds consider him too valuable in his current role to change his duties.
McKeon's decision will partly hinge on how much he's forced to use his bullpen in the three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks that began Monday night at Bank One Ballpark. The availability of White, Reyes or Villone for Houston would depend on if they pitched against Arizona.
McKeon reiterated he'd rather not start a lefty against Houston's lineup that features right-handed batters Craig Biggio, Derek Bell and Jeff Bagwell.
“But we have no choice. Somebody has to go out there,” McKeon said. Turning positive, he added, “But that's the time when you don't think they can do it, (and) they do it.”
Statistics suggest that White has as much of a chance as anybody to provide relief as a starter.
Cincinnati's starters have averaged 5ô innings per outing, fewest in the league. Meanwhile, White (0-2, 3.93 ERA) has not allowed an earned run in his last seven appearances and, significantly, worked three innings twice in that span.
“His stuff has been there all year,” said pitching coach Don Gullett. “I think he's pitching with as much confidence as anyone in the bullpen right now.”
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