Thursday, August 30, 2001
Reds Notebook
Boone's return delayed
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HOUSTON — Aaron Boone thought he might be playing by today, but it looks like he'll only begin hitting.
“Talking to (the trainers), they want to let it calm down,” Boone said of his fractured right wrist. “I'll probably wait until we get back (to Cincinnati today).”
Boone, who has been on the disabled list since Aug.15, is eligible to come off it today. He suffered the broken wrist when he was hit by a pitch from Matt Morris of St. Louis on Aug.14.
Boone has been fitted for a pad to protect his right wrist and hand, where he suffered a broken hamate bone when he was hit by a pitch May 14.
Douglas, a Houston company, specializes in such devices.
“They pioneered the hand protector (Jeff) Bagwell wears,” Reds trainer Greg Lynn said.
HAMILTON UPDATE: Joey Hamilton threw a bullpen session Wednesday. His next step is a start Sunday at Triple-A Louisville.
“It's three days off,” he said, “then go get 'em Sunday.”
Hamilton, a 30-year-old right-hander, is scheduled to make only one start for Louisville before returning to the Reds. His role when he returns is uncertain.
“I have no plan,” Boone said. “But I've liked what I've seen.”
Hamilton has been working with pitching coach Don Gullett since the Reds signed him Aug.17. They hope he can become an effective starter, but he will relieve if asked.
“It doesn't matter,” Hamilton said. “It's not an ego thing with me. I can start or relieve. I would like to start, and I'd just assume they want me to be starting, so they can determine what they want to do about next year.”
SOWERS UPDATE: Reds No.1 draft choice Jeremy Sowers might or might not have attended class Wednesday at Vanderbilt. The school would not say.
“It is not in my nor Jeremy Sowers' best interest to say if he attended class,” Vandy sports information director Rob Williams said.
If Sowers did attend class, the Reds lose the rights to him. Reds scouting director Kasey McKeon said Tuesday no negotiations were going on between the two sides.
FARM REPORT: Wily Mo Pena is making a run at the power titles in the Midwest League. He went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer for Single-A Dayton Tuesday.
Pena leads the league in RBI with 110 and is second in homers with 25. Teammate Samone Peters leads the league with 27 home runs.
UP NEXT: Reyes (1-4, 5.19) faces Houston rookie right-handed sensation Roy Oswalt (11-2, 2.98). Oswalt is 9-1 with a 2.84 ERA since moving into the rotation.
The Reds last saw him when he was still pitching out of the bullpen. He has pitched against them twice, going 5 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out five. He earned his first major-league win against them, May 14.
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Boone's return delayed
