Friday, June 01, 2001
Larson down, Cromer up
Boone could return next week
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Anticipating Aaron Boone's return from the disabled list while hoping to upgrade the bench, the Reds optioned third baseman Brandon Larson to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday and will recall first baseman D.T. Cromer from that club today.
As a temporary replacement for Boone, who suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand May14, Larson hit .121 in 14 games, including eight starts. The Reds hope Larson, their No.1 draft choice in 1997, can gain further seasoning in Triple-A.
“He was here too early,” manager Bob Boone said, adding that he'll use Juan Castro and Bill Selby at third base for the immediate future.
Also, general manager Jim Bowden said on his radio show on WLW-AM (700) that the Reds might try Dmitri Young at third base, a position he last played in 1993 in the minor leagues.
Aaron Boone, who has begun throwing and light hitting, could be activated sometime during the Reds' 14-day, 12-game, four-city trip beginning tonight in St.Louis. Aaron Boone has mentioned the two-game series at Milwaukee next Tuesday and Wednesday as a possible time frame for his return.
Cromer hit .301 with six homers and 23 RBI in 33 games with Louisville. This already is his third stint with Cincinnati this season. Used primarily as a pinch hitter as a Red, Cromer has a .250 average (2-for-8) for Cincinnati. He hit .340 (16-for-47) with the Reds last year.
“He certainly has done it (pinch hit) much more than Brandon,” Bob Boone said of Cromer.
Though Reds pinch hitters have six hits in their last 11 at-bats, their overall average of .145 ranks near the bottom of the National League.
The Reds also re-signed right-hander Matt Skrmetta to a Triple-A contract and signed left-hander Dave Maurer to another Triple-A contract.
Skrmetta refused an outright assignment to Louisville and became a free agent May 25 but decided to remain with the organization. He was 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA in his first RiverBats stint.
Maurer has split this season between San Diego and Triple-A. He had no record with a 10.80 ERA in three Padres appearances before recording one save and a 4.34 ERA in 17 games with Triple-A Portland.
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Larson down, Cromer up
