Saturday, March 04, 2000
Finger sprain sidelines Reese
REDS NOTEBOOK
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Though the Reds continued to insist that second baseman Pokey Reese's mildly sprained right ring finger wasn't a serious injury, manager Jack McKeon ordered the Gold Glove winner to stay in Sarasota and take a day off to heal.
Reese, who was hurt in Friday's split-squad exhibition opener when he slid headfirst into second base, had planned to play Saturday against the Texas Rangers. But McKeon recommended rest after Reese reported mild swelling around the finger.
“He wanted to play,” McKeon said. “He can use a day off, anyway, the way he works.”
As McKeon related, Reese suggested that he should begin sliding feet-first to avoid hand injuries. McKeon heartily en dorsed that idea.
“You take more chances of getting hurt (by sliding headfirst),” McKeon said. “A lot of guys tear up a finger. We can't afford to lose a guy like Pokey.”
PETE'S TURN: While nothing's official yet, pitching coach Don Gullett said it's a “fair assumption” that Pete Harnisch will start the April 3 season opener against Milwaukee at Cinergy Field.
“We'll see how it plays out in a couple of more weeks,” said Gullett, mindful of the possibility of injuries.
The subject of Opening Day arose since Harnisch and Denny Neagle, Cincinnati's projected top two starters, both are scheduled to pitch in today's split-squad exhibition game against the Rangers in Sarasota.
Gullett explained that their turns eventually will be stag gered so that they'll pitch on consecutive days.
Harnisch, the Reds' top winner the last two seasons, has pitched three previous openers, 1992 and 1994 with Houston and 1997 with the New York Mets.
FERNANDEZ EXCELS: Though Mark Portugal remains the leading candidate to secure the fifth starter's spot, he could face competition from Osvaldo Fernandez before the spring ends.
Attempting to overcome shoulder problems that have prevented him from pitching in the majors since 1997, Fernandez threw two shutout innings Saturday against Texas.
“He threw OK for his first time out,” Gullett said. “I saw a little better fastball today. He moves the ball around, changes speeds and knows how to pitch.”
MUSCLING UP: Gaining nearly 10 pounds this offseason has given utilityman Chris Stynes a bodybuilder's physique.
“Last year I came in a little lighter than I normally would and felt a little weaker,” said Stynes, who usually plays at around 188-190 but now weighs 198. “It's a long spring, and I wanted to make sure that I had a little bit of weight to work with as spring training goes on.”
Stynes said that living in the offseason near West Palm Beach, Fla., makes it easier for him to visit the gym. “It's sort of the "in' thing down there to be in very good shape,” he said.
But Stynes doesn't expect to start entering bodybuilding contests as a hobby.
“Those guys are enormous. I don't want to get that big,” he said. “I want to stay athletic.”
MARTY'S BIG FAN: Reds announcer Marty Brennaman, who'll enter baseball's Hall of Fame on July 23 as this year's Ford C. Frick Award recipient, said he received a congratulatory phone call Friday morning from Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight. Brennaman said they talked for about 45 minutes.
“When I first came to the club, he was a huge Reds fan,” said Brennaman, adding that Knight has switched his allegiance to the St. Louis Cardinals.
PITCHERS' SAMPLER: Though the Reds might have been a trifle overzealous in bringing 37 pitchers to camp, Gullett said that the chance to see so much of the Reds' stable of arms has deepened his knowledge of the organization's available talent.
“Whether they make this ballclub, go to Triple-A or whatever their situation is, we have an idea of what these guys are all about,” Gullett said. “No question it helps in that regard.”
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