Reitsma gets chance to show his stuff

The right-hander survived a series of roster cuts in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' major-league camp last spring and was told he'd make the Opening Day staff if they decided to keep 12 pitchers.

On March 28, Reitsma learned the Rays would keep only 11.

Thus, Reitsma won't let himself feel too excited about remaining in contention for a spot in the Reds' starting rotation midway through the exhibition schedule. Nor will he assume his lack of experience will eliminate him from consideration.

“I'd like to pitch well enough to force their hand into making a decision sooner than later, obviously,” Reitsma said Wednesday. “Whatever they decide, they decide. I can't control it. I feel I can pitch every day in the big leagues. I really believe that in my heart. I know I have the stuff to do it.”

Reitsma can strengthen his case today when the Reds face the Texas Rangers in Port Charlotte, Fla., as one of the pitchers scheduled to make the trip. This could be a pivotal day in manager Bob Boone's thought process, since his starter will be Scott Williamson, a leading candidate for the rotation but not a cinch to make it. Non-roster invitee Jared Fernandez, the rookie knuckleballer, also has a shot.

Reitsma has never pitched above Double-A in five professional seasons, but that barely concerns Boone — which reflects the impression the 23-year-old has made.

“He has shown us command; he has shown us velocity; he has shown us movement on his fastball; he has shown us an outstanding change-up,” Boone said. “He has shown us the ability to get hitters out in more than one way. At some point we have to evaluate and ask, is is he consistent enough to throw those pitches all the time? Is he big-league ready? Certainly we've seen flashes of it.”

Reitsma's 5.40 ERA is as meaningless as a 2000 stock prospectus. He has logged one poor inning in three appearances, allowing three runs while failing to get out of the second inning last Wednesday against Pittsburgh. He rebounded with four powerful innings Sunday against Texas, faltering only when nine-time All-Star Ivan Rodriguez smacked a two-run homer.

“For the most part, I've been physically strong and healthy,” Reitsma said. “I have nothing to complain about.”

Reitsma could have been forgiven a little bitterness a few years ago as a highly regarded Boston Red Sox prospect. His elbow literally snapped in half while he was pitching in a 1997 game, requiring insertion of two 11-inch screws to help the bone heal. He suffered a stress fracture the following year, limiting him to 62 1/3 innings in those two seasons.

Reitsma steadily recovered his stamina and his fastball. He made 19 starts for Boston's Single-A Sarasota club in 1999 and showed enough promise for Tampa Bay to select him in the Rule 5 draft. Boston re-acquired Reitsma when the Devil Rays declined to keep him on the major-league roster. He made 25 starts in Single- and Double-A last year, posting a 10-6 mark with a 3.03 ERA before the Reds obtained him and left-hander John Curtice in the Aug.31 Dante Bichette trade.

Reitsma then built momentum for this spring by sparkling in relief for Grand Canyon in the Arizona Fall League, finishing 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA and two saves.

He feels he's ready to start or relieve, though Boone envisions him in the rotation. He'll gladly report to Triple-A Louisville or Cincinnati come April — though he'd prefer the latter locale.

“When you're given something in life, you have to make the best of it,” Reitsma said. “If I go down (to the minors), hey, that's a good challenge. I'll just take it from there and keep on going. Hopefully I'll find myself back up talking to you sometime during the year.”

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