Wednesday, May 01, 2002
Send down Kearns? Not at .455
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LOS ANGELES - It's looking more and more like Austin Kearns could stay with the Reds when Ken Griffey comes off the DL.
Although the Reds had said he would only stay if he was playing every day, manager Bob Boone said there's a “possibility” Kearns would stay as an extra player.
Reds general manager Jim Bowden defined what those circumstances would be: “He'd have to get 300 to 400 at-bats. We've had some success with Michael Tucker and Alex Ochoa in that role.”
Bowden and Boone say the decision hasn't been made.
“He'll continue to compete until Junior gets back,” Bowden said. “That's going to be some time.”
Kearns is competing pretty well so far. After going 3-for-3 Tuesday, Kearns is hitting .455 with two homers and six RBI in 10 games. The Reds are 8-3 in those games.
MORE REHAB: The two other players on the disabled list — utilityman Juan Castro and catcher Kelly Stinnett — also worked out at Cinergy Field Tuesday.
Boone said Castro, on the 15-day DL with a pulled left hamstring, will participate in another session Friday, then go for a minor league rehab assignment.
Stinnett, on the 15-day DL with a sore elbow, is further away.
While Silva was throwing to Griffey and Pena in Cincinnati, John Riedling and Seth Etherton were throwing in Florida, where they are rehabbing. Etherton, who is on the 60-day disabled list, threw 45 pitches and had no pain. He'll throw 60 in his next session.
Riedling threw two innings in a minor league game. He'll throw two more innings Friday, then will likely be ready for a rehab assignment at Double-A or Triple-A.
MUST SEE TV: Danny Graves was semi-coy about the episode of ESPN's Unscripted he and Sean Casey shot Tuesday.
“I can't tell too much or people won't tune in,” he said. “But it was pretty funny.”
The show will air at 5 p.m. Monday.
You might not recognize Casey and Graves.
“They use makeup,” Casey said. “I looked at myself in a mirror and said, "Hey, I'm a pretty good looking guy.' Gravy looked pretty good, too.”
PARENTAL APPROVAL: Casey heard from a lot of people about the fit he threw Sunday after San Francisco right-hander Felix Rodriguez hit him with a pitch.
His reaction was OK with the one person who matters to him most.
“I talked to my dad (Jim), and he supported me,” Casey said. “He said, "Sometimes you've got to stand up for yourself.' ”
UP NEXT: The Reds play the Dodgers in the second game of the three-game series tonight at 10:10. Right-hander Joey Hamilton (1-1, 3.30 ERA) faces Dodger right-hander Hideo Nomo (2-3, 2.35).
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Send down Kearns? Not at .455
