Friday, June 30, 2000
Harnisch returns to start tonight
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Though it's an ambitious wish, the Reds hope that Pete Harnisch can duplicate Denny Neagle's 1999 comeback.
Harnisch will end an eight-week stay on the disabled list when he starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at Phoenix's Bank One Ballpark. Cincinnati's Opening Day starter was plagued by weakness in his rotator cuff early in the season, posting an 0-4 record and a 9.95 ERA in six games.
Neagle experienced similar trouble last year, losing his first three decisions while enduring two stints on the disabled list. Then he went 6-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his last seven starts to finish the year 9-5.
""Pete should be strong,'' Reds manager Jack McKeon said Thursday. ""He should be like Neagle ... tough in the second half.''
Harnisch, who led the Reds with 30 victories in 1998-99, is always tough mentally. But he said he's not certain how effective he can be after such a long layoff.
""I'm looking forward to getting in a normal routine,'' Harnisch said. ""That will take a few starts, but I'm ready to go.''
Pitching coach Don Gullett acknowledged that though the Reds expect a lot from Harnisch, they can't demand instant excellence.
""You can't predict what's going to happen the first time or two out after a long layoff,'' said Gullett, noting that Harnisch will work under a 100-pitch limit. ""You still have to be on edge in regards to how he's going to perform, how sharp he'll be. Hopefully he can give us a
strong performance, but you have to be realistic, too.''
Harnisch, who pitched the final four months of last season with shoulder pain, hasn't concerned himself with whether he has fully recovered.
""I'm not going to dwell on the fact that it might not be (healed),'' the right-hander said. ""I don't look at things like that. I'm just going to pitch.''
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Harnisch returns to start tonight
