Friday, March 01, 2002
Reds notebook
Griffey on the road to recovery
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Ken Griffey Jr. was at the Ed Smith Stadium complex Thursday but wasn't quite ready to go back to work.
“If I go out there, you're going to have to carry me back in here,” Griffey told Adam Dunn.
Griffey, who was hospitalized Tuesday, is suffering from a viral stomach infection. He thinks he may be able to work out as soon as today. But Reds manager Bob Boone told Griffey not to push it.
“We've got a lot of time,” Boone said.
Griffey has been able to take fly balls only once because rain washed out two days of workouts before his illness.
“What do they say? "If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all,'” Griffey said.
He was able to drive himself to Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Tuesday night. He spent about four hours there — long enough for his wife, Melissa, to drive over from Orlando.
“I had all the symptoms of appendicitis,” he said.
An MRI showed that wasn't the case. Griffey said he is on medication — “horse pills so big I have to chew them” — and has been ordered to rest.
With the New York Yankees here for the Reds' home exhibition opener, a number of New York writers stopped in the Reds clubhouse to talk to Griffey. One asked Griffey if, in the wake of the criticism he has received from former teammates this spring, he regretted turning his back on more money to sign with his hometown Reds.
“No. I get to see my family so much more,” he said. “I know how important it is to have your dad there. My dad couldn't make it to many of my games. Trey's Little League games are at 7(p.m.), so I can work out, then go over to (Orlando) to see him play.”
OUCH:
Right-hander Jose Silva took a line drive hit by Enrique Wilson off his left shin in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Yankees. X-rays on Silva were negative.
The ball hit just below the spot where Silva had been hit by a line drive by Atlanta's Andruw Jones on June4 last season. Silva suffered a broken tibia and missed the rest of the season.
The Reds got Silva in a trade for minor-leaguer Ben Shaffar in the offseason.
DUNN AT FIRST?
With Sean Casey playing Thursday, the Reds needed a first baseman to work out with the rest of the infielders. Dunn was used.
You could see Dunn in a game at first this year.
“He's a pretty good first baseman,” Boone said. “If we had an injury, that's probably the way we'd go. It's his natural position.”
Casey is the only first baseman who is a lock to make the club. Robin Jennings, the leading candidate for the fourth outfielder slot, is also adept at first.
Reds general manager Jim Bowden says Ben Broussard, a natural first baseman, will be given a chance to make the team. He'd have to beat out Jennings.
Dunn at first gives the Reds an important option, because Boone likes to pinch run for Casey in critical, late-inning situations.
BOOKER'S DONE:
Dr. Tim Kremchek said Chris Booker's season is over. The hard-throwing right-hander obtained in the trade for Michael Tucker has a torn labrum. Kremchek will do shoulder surgery Monday.
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