DENVER — Mark Wohlers hopes to take the next step in rehabilitating his repaired elbow — throwing a slider — when he throws in the Dodger Stadium bullpen on Saturday.

        Wohlers' optimism stemmed from his batting-practice session Tuesday at Coors Field, when he threw 35 pitches, all fastballs and mostly strikes, to first baseman D.T. Cromer.

        Wohlers, the former Atlanta Braves relief ace who underwent ligament surgery July 6 after injuring his elbow in a minor-league tuneup, said he improved upon his batting-practice outing against Deion Sanders last Thursday at Cinergy Field.

        “I thought today was even better, as far as consistency in the strike zone and life in my fastball,” said Wohlers, who was recovering from an anxiety disorder after the Reds acquired him last April 16 for right-hander John Hudek. “That's probably the best I've thrown with a hitter up there.”

        Pitching coach Don Gullett didn't argue. “He was mechanically sound, not trying to overthrow,” said Gullett, who estimated Wohlers' velocity at 90-92 mph.

        RODGERS ON BOARD: Assistant general manager Doc Rodgers said his presence on the steering committee for the U.S. Olympic baseball team reflects the Reds' reputation as much as his.

        “It says you're among the top people in baseball at evaluating talent,” said Rodgers, who also served on the U.S. selection committee for last year's Pan Am Games team. “We've had a lot of success here with the Reds over the years, and I think it's just a recognition of the fact that we've had success putting together major-league talent.”

        As part of the steering committee, Rodgers said he helped name members of the selection committee that will, in turn, form the 24-man Olympic roster in mid-August. The steering committee also will choose the team's manager and coaches.

        ETC.: With his first-inning sacrifice fly Tuesday, Ken Griffey Jr. extended his streak of consecutive games in which he has driven in at least one run to seven.

        • Ron Villone collected his first major-league RBI with a second-inning single Tuesday. Before the at-bat, Villone was hitting .064 (3-for-47) lifetime.

        • Right fielder Dante Bichette, who spent 1993-99 with Colorado, was recognized for his charitable work and community service in the Denver area in a pregame ceremony.

        UP NEXT: Pete Harnisch (0-1, 9.00 ERA), who has lasted only four innings in each of his first two starts, will oppose Colorado's Masato Yoshii (0-1, 4.76), who makes his Coors Field debut.

Reds 10, Rockies 3 Box, runs Larkin's agent threatens free agency Injuries force lineup changes Wohlers' fastball shows some zip

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