Friday, April 07, 2000
Wohlers throws off mound; minors up next
REDS NOTEBOOK
BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Mark Wohlers is throwing to big-league players off a big-league mound. And that's progress. Even if it's only batting practice, that's progress.
“It feels good to pitch off any mound,” he said. “I'm not picky.”
Wohlers, the former Atlanta Braves closer whom the Reds obtained last April, is rehabbing his right elbow after surgery. He threw 30 to 35 pitches to Deion Sanders Thursday.
“It was good,” Wohlers said. “I'm happy with it. My velocity was pretty good, and I made adjustments when I had to.”
Wohlers had “Tommy John” surgery July 6. He was expected to miss nine months to a year, but he's well ahead of schedule. He's hoping to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville in mid-May.
But in addition to rehabbing his elbow, Wohlers is trying to rehab his control. When he injured the elbow, he was already on the disabled list suffering from an anxiety disorder that kept him from throwing strikes.
Reds manager Jack McKeon said Wohlers is moving along nicely on both accounts.
“When we had him out there last year, he'd be throwing over the screen,” McKeon said.
Wohlers said his velocity is about 85 percent. He's throwing only fastballs off the mound.
“I spin some breaking balls off flat ground,” he said. “I'm taking my time.”
Because the Reds resigned Wohlers after not offering him arbitration, he isn't eligible to play until May 1. If he even approaches his former form, he'd be a tremendous asset the Reds' bullpen.
The 30-year-old Wohlers saved 25 games in '95, 39 in '96 and 33 in '97. He averaged more than a strikeout an inning each of those years.
“It would be a lot of fun to help this club,” he said.
GREAT DEBUT: D.T. Cromer had 3,305 at-bats preparing for his first major-league plate appearance, but he was still nervous.
“It was the first at-bat of the year,” he said. “My first major-league at-bat. Everything was going a little fast.”
But Cromer came through. He lined an RBI single.
“I was glad to get it over with,” he said.
Cromer was called up to the Reds to take the place of Sean Casey, who is on the disabled list with a chipped bone in his right hand.
Cromer is 29 years old, spending five years in Single-A. The fifth year was his breakthrough year. He hit .329 with 30 homers and 130 RBI; he had never hit over .262 or more than 14 home runs before that.
Since then, he has put up big numbers. Last year, he hit .310 with 30 HRs and 107 RBI at Triple-A Indianapolis.
GRIZZLY CASEY: One thing the broken thumb has prevented Sean Casey from doing is shaving.
“I'm scared to,” he said. “I might be growing a beard. In a couple of days, I'll look like Grizzly Adams.”
SOLD OUT: The Reds' game with the Cleveland Indians July 8 is sold out. There are 2,000 standing-room tickets available for $5 each.
GRIFFEY'S STRUGGLES: Ken Griffey Jr. has had slow starts before. He hit a double in his first major-league at-bat off Oakland's Dave Stewart in 1989. Then he went his next 16 at-bats without a hit.
“I couldn't hit anything,” he said.
But contrary to what former teammate Harold Reynolds reported on ESPN, Griffey said he didn't cry over it.
NO ROCK'N'ROLL: The music over the public address system while the Reds were taking batting practice Thursday was a mixture of classical and jazz.
“How are we supposed to get psyched up with this?” Denny Neagle said. “What is this — Beethoven's fifth concerto?”
Pete Harnisch wanted to know the source. He turned to Reds coach Harry Dunlop, 66.
“Hey, Harry, is this one of your old eight-tracks?”
UP NEXT: The Reds open a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs at Cinergy Field today. Right-hander Pete Harnisch (0-0, 4.50 ERA) faces left-hander Andrew Lorraine (0-0, 6.75) in the opener.
Reds Stories
Bengals' Foley arrested again
Bengals launch Web site
Ex-Bengal Douthard guilty of possession
History walks fairways at Augusta
NKU's Aker nears 800th win
Gift provides field for NKU softball
Princeton's Daniels heads Enquirer All-Stars
Enquirer's Cincinnati Boys Basketball All-Stars
McAfee, West win Xavier awards
• Return to Reds front page...
Wohlers throws off mound; minors up next