Thursday, March 23, 2000

REDS NOTEBOOK

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Mercado could stick with Reds

BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mercado

        FORT MYERS, Fla. — Hector Mercado looked around the first day at Reds camp and wondered about his chances.

        “When I first walked in, I said, "Oh my God,'” Mercado said.

        The reason: He was one of 34 pitchers. He figured he had a slim chance of catching anyone's eye. Not a good situation for a guy coming off two surgeries.

        But five weeks later, Mercado is one of 14 pitchers left on the roster. Based on his performance so far — 13 innings pitched, eight hits and no runs — he may be one of the 11 who make the team.

        Mercado started Wednesday and pitched three scoreless innings in the Reds' 10-6 win over the Boston Red Sox.

        Mercado, a 25-year-old left-hander, pitched only six innings last year. He had “Tommy John” surgery on his elbow March 21, 1998. He did not pitch that season. He had another surgery to clean out his shoulder in 1999.

        “When I was rehabbing my elbow,” he said, “my shoulder started bothering me.”

        Mercado said he is not 100 percent.

        “I felt stronger before the injury,” he said. “I'd recover faster. It was easier to warm up.”

        But Mercado has been effective.

        “He did a good job,” Reds manager Jack McKeon said. “He throws strikes. He's been working with (pitching coach Don Gullett) on the split-finger,” McKeon said. “That's been the difference for him.”

        The fifth starter's spot and one relief spot are open on the Reds' staff. Mercado would be happy with either.

        “I'm a pitcher,” he said. “I don't care. I'm just trying to make it to the major leagues.”

        Mercado has never pitched in the major leagues. His best year was 1997 when he was 11-3 with a 3.96 ERA for the New York Mets' team in the Double-A Eastern League.

        INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR: Mercado signed with the Reds after Jorge Oquendo, the director of international scouting, saw him in winter ball.

        That's a breakthrough of sorts.

        “A few years ago, we didn't have scouts in Latin America,” Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said.

        VILLONE SHINES: Ron Villone, the No.4 starter, went nine innings in a minor-league game against the Baltimore Orioles. Villone allowed three hits and two runs. He threw 93 pitches.

        His performance came a day after Steve Parris went seven innings in a minor-league game.

        “We want to get these guys stretched out,” McKeon said.

        ROSTER MOVES: The Reds reduced the roster to 32 Wednesday. Infielder Freddy Garcia, obtained from the Atlanta Braves March 13 for RHP Dennis Russo, cleared waivers. He was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville and accepted the assignment.

        Right-handed pitcher Eddie Gaillard, Wednesday's winning pitcher, was optioned to Louisville.

       

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