Tuesday, March 07, 2000
Reyes hit hard in spring debut, but shoulder feels good
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BRADENTON, Fla. — Pitching was what counted most for Dennys Reyes on Monday. Pitching well can wait.
Reyes, whose spring progress has been delayed by tendinitis in his shoulder, made his first exhibition appearance in the Reds' 11-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Reyes, the Reds' top left-handed set-up reliever, labored through a forgettable seventh inning, allowing six runs. Aramis Ramirez's grand slam was the biggest blow against Reyes, who allowed four hits and walked two batters.
Reyes looked lousy, but he felt fine.
“I was just a little bit out of control,” he said. “Everything I threw was pretty much down the middle. But the main thing is, my arm feels really strong.”
Pitching coach Don Gullett agreed that Reyes' health was more important than results at this stage.
“It's good to get him back out there,” Gullett said. “I thought he threw with pretty good velocity, but his command was nowhere close. He'll catch up pretty quickly.”
Reyes had thrown several times off a practice mound since rehabilitating his shoulder, which was found to be hurt before pitchers began workouts Feb.18.
He also started slowly last year, when a hip injury and a weight problem limited his activity early in camp. He found his form almost immediately, posting a 1.74 ERA in 12 April appearances.
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