BRADENTON, Fla. — The living, breathing exception to the Reds' need for improved starting pitching is Elmer Dessens.

        Dessens could fall short of his 2000 results, and the Reds still might be satisfied with his performance. After seven nondescript professional seasons that spanned the United States, Japan and Mexico, Dessens posted a 10-5 record with a 4.21 ERA in 16 starts after joining the rotation June 28. The trade of Steve Parris (12-17) to Toronto makes Dessens, 11-5 overall, the Reds' top returning winner.

        “I have the confidence to do the job I did last year,” he said Wednesday.

        Dessens worked primarily on his curve and changeup in a cameo Mexican League stint this winter for Hermosillo, his hometown.

        Dessens finished 1-0 with an 0.82 ERA in three appearances, allowing seven hits and walking only one while striking out seven in 11 innings.

        So it surprised everybody, including Dessens, when he arrived at spring training with weakness in his upper back and shoulder blade. To let this pass, said Reds therapist Lonnie Soloff, would be to invite a rotator-cuff tear.

        “When I came here,” said Dessens, “I was ready to pitch. But it's going to be a long season, and they want my shoulder to be strong.”

        He's ready now. Dessens should open the season in the rotation. The right-hander passed his first test in Wednesday afternoon's split-squad exhibition against the Pittsburgh Pirates, throwing a perfect fourth inning in the 11-8 victory.

        One inning may not sound like much. But at this juncture, it doesn't have to be. Said pitching coach Don Gullett, “There's no reason he can't throw a couple of innings his next time out,” which could happen as soon as Saturday.

        Dessens' outing was long on efficiency. He threw just nine pitches, coaxing a pair of grounders to first base and notching one strikeout. He displayed the style that he thrived with last year, mixing two sliders with his best pitch, a sinking fastball.

        “I hit my spots and had some movement on my pitches,” Dessens said. “I got them down, and that's what I wanted to do. The only thing I need to work on is throwing my breaking ball. I don't feel that behind.”

Reds optimistic about Young's injury Reds wouldn't let Randolph hire coaches Dessens solid in debut Boone's return 'emotional' Game report

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