Wednesday, February 16, 2000
Fernandez joins pitching prospects
REDS NOTEBOOK
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Right-hander Osvaldo Fernandez joined the group of potential No.5 starters Tuesday when he signed a non-guaranteed, minor-league contract and accepted an invitation to major-league camp.
Elbow problems that required two surgeries have prevented Fernandez, 31, from pitching in the majors the last two seasons.
The Cuban refugee was 7-13 with San Francisco in 1996 and 3-4 in 1997 before injuries sidelined him. Fernandez was 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four minor-league rehabilitation starts with the Giants' Single-A San Jose affiliate last year.
Darrell “Doc” Rodgers, the Reds' assistant general manager, liked what he saw when he watched Fernandez throw twice in Miami last week.
“If he's healthy, he can give you six innings every time he's out there,” General Manager Jim Bowden said. “We'll let him compete with (Mark) Portugal, Rob Bell, (Elmer) Dessens, (Bobby) Munoz and the other guys we have — until we make a deal.”
GRIFFEY SHIRTS: Cincinnati-area fans can begin purchasing jerseys and T-shirts with Ken Griffey Jr.'s No.30 beginning today at the Reds Dugout Shop in the Westin Hotel downtown.
Griffey-related clothing will be available in the form of adult home jerseys and three styles of adult and children's T-shirts. Baseballs with both the Reds logo and a photo of Griffey's uniform jersey also will be available. Additional styles, sizes and other merchandise will follow.
LOAD TO LIGHTEN: Fernandez became the 70th player invited to Reds camp, exceeding the manageable level by about 20.
But Bowden promised the burden on manager Jack McKeon and his coaches will be eased after a “major” roster cut March 9.
That's the date of the Reds' fourth split-squad exhibition doubleheader. With only one more scheduled after that, they won't have as great a need for extra players.
“We're not going to let the numbers affect our job,” Bowden said. “We have a good idea of who's going to make this club; we have a good idea of the people who have a legitimate chance to compete for the club. They're going to get the at-bats and the innings.”
ETC.: Today is the official reporting date for 37 pitchers and seven catchers, though left-handers Denny Neagle and Ron Villone and right-hander Steve Parris already have arrived.
Pitchers and catchers will have physical exams Thursday before their first workout Friday. Position players report next Monday, with physicals set for Tuesday and the first full-squad workout Feb.23.
• The Reds broke off talks with free-agent catcher Benito Santiago, who had demanded guaranteed money from the club.
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