Thursday, February 17, 2000

Sanders still at half speed

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REDS NOTEBOOK

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Deion Sanders got an early start Wednesday. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        SARASOTA, Fla. — Deion Sanders' bid to rejoin the Reds won't reach full speed for a few weeks — literally.

        Dr. Tim Kremchek, the Reds' team physician, determined that Sanders needs more recovery time after undergoing arthroscopic surgery 3¹/₂ weeks ago to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee.

        Kremchek said Sanders will be allowed to engage in light workouts — such as Wednesday's, when he took batting practice in an indoor cage.

        “We're going to hold him down for the next two to three weeks before we start letting him loose,” Kremchek said Wednesday after examining Sanders, who was injured while playing cornerback last season for the Dallas Cowboys.

        YOUNG SETTLES: Arbitration season ended for the Reds, who agreed with Dmitri Young on a $1.95 million, one-year contract that more than quintupled the outfielder's salary.

        The sides avoided a Friday hearing. Young, who earned $375,000 last year, had asked for $2.2 million while the Reds countered with $1.75 million. The accord represented a mild victory for the Reds, since it fell $25,000 below the midpoint.

        The Reds were 1-1 in arbitration hearings this year. They defeated right-hander Steve Parris, who received $1.4 million, and lost to reliever Scott Sullivan, who won a $1.1 million settlement. They also avoided hearings by signing second baseman Pokey Reese ($1.95 million), left-hander Gabe White ($630,000) and outfielders Alex Ochoa ($862,500) and Michael Tucker (two years, $3.5 million).

        SAME OLD FUSS: A throng of reporters is expected for Ken Griffey Jr.'s arrival at camp. But it won't be anything new to the locals.

        Pat Calhoun, who manages the Ed Smith Stadium complex, recalled the media crush when Michael Jordan reported for spring training with the Chicago White Sox, who previously trained here. Jordan's news conference drew 250 credentialed members of the media, 13 satellite trucks and 51 television cameras.

        NO SWITCH NOW: As Friday's opening workout for pitchers and catchers approaches, manager Jack McKeon and pitching coach Don Gullett aren't planning to move relievers Dennys Reyes, Gabe White or Scott Williamson into the starting rotation.

        All are former starters, and a vacancy exists in the rotation. But McKeon and Gullett share General Manager Jim Bowden's belief that keeping the bullpen intact, given its 1999 excellence, is wise.

        McKeon said he might contemplate switching one of the three “if somebody comes up and is explosive.” But that would mean all of the existing starting candidates, along with somebody from the leading quartet of Pete Harnisch, Denny Neagle, Steve Parris and Ron Villone, were faltering.

        Gullett said converting Reyes, White or Williamson is “an alternative.” But, Gullett said, “The key is that these guys have accomplished a lot the last couple of years and are certainly feeling comfortable in their (current) roles.”

        ON WINCHESTER: Right-hander Scott Winchester, whose progress was interrupted by shoulder surgery, is eager to show he can pitch at full strength.

        Kremchek said Winchester, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, 1998, can easily throw at about 85 percent of his full capacity and should reach 100 percent in the next week to 10 days.

        “The strength of his shoulder looks fantastic,” Kremchek said. “He has a fluid motion and no pain.”

        Winchester, 26, was 3-6 with a 5.81 ERA in 16 starts for Cincinnati in 1998 before his injury. He was 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA in six rehabilitation appearances with Single-A Rockford last year.

        “I'm basically just going to try to impress people,” Winchester said. “I have a lot of things I need to show and things I need to prove before they can make a judgment on whether I can start, relieve or do anything.”

        NEWS FLASH: In a stunning development, the Reds announced no additions to their 70-man spring roster.

        The crowded camp hasn't cost McKeon his sense of humor. Said McKeon, “I just go to the clubhouse guys and say, "Who've we got coming in today?' ”

Spring training schedule

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