Friday, May 10, 2002
Notes: Casey could come back today
By Gary Estwick, gestwick@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After leaving Wednesday's game with a strained hamstring, Sean Casey could return to the lineup today, Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremcheck said.
Kremcheck said the MRI performed on Casey's right hamstring didn't show a tear. Casey received stretching and massage treatment on his hamstring.
The Reds open their three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals today at Cinergy Field.
“The way he responded, there's a very good chance he could be in the lineup,” Kremcheck said.
That would be good for the Reds. Casey has the highest batting average (.300) for any Reds player with at least 100 at-bats. He also leads the team in runs scored (20) and is second in hits (33).
His solid hitting continued this week against Milwaukee. On Monday, Casey went 4-for-4 with three doubles, and on Tuesday, he hit his first home run in 53 games. The Reds swept the series.
On Wednesday, Casey left in the sixth inning after pulling up en route to first. He had a precautionary MRI that night.
“As good as the team is going, we don't want to overreact to injuries,” Kremcheck said. “But we don't want to under-react either.”
Casey's hamstring injury came almost one month after he was hit in the head by a pitch from Philadelphia's Robert Person; Casey missed four starts.
GRIFFEY FACES ON-FIELD TEST: Ken Griffey Jr. is expected to test his right knee today in a running session. Jumping, stopping and cutting will be part of his workout.
Griffey has been out since April 8 with a torn patella tendon in his right knee. He originally was said to return within three to six weeks.
“We're happy how he's doing,” Kremcheck said. “But we're not going to take any chances with him. He's too valuable.”
SOUND BITES: One day after Richie Sexson took exception to a Jim Brower pitch inside, Austin Kearns was hit by Brian Mallette. Brewers pitching coach Dave Stewart and Reds broadcaster Joe Nuxhall tossed around sound-bites. Brewers spokesman Jon Greenberg said Stewart and manager Jerry Royster would have no comment. Nuxhall also did not comment. Brewers general manager Dean Taylor said, “It's kind of tough in the heat of the battle, but I think our players handled the it very well after the game.”
Sexson said in Thursday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “I don't even think he was trying to hit me. I think we are all just pretty frustrated.”
The Brewers are 9-25, and last in the NL Central. The Reds travel to Milwaukee next week for a four-game series.
WHO NEEDS PRACTICE: Former Reds pitcher Tom Browning, who threw the team's only perfect game 14 years ago, will sit alongside Fox Sports Net's George Grande and Chris Welch tonight as a guest announcer.
On Wednesday, Browning planned to do a little research before doing a few innings today as part of the network's Guest Announcer Night. But his media credential wasn't at the gate, and he couldn't talk his way in.
FROM SPARKY TO LARKIN: All fans who attend tonight's game at Cinergy Field will receive a collectible “Faces of Riverfront” poster. The 24” x 36” poster displays nearly 70 headshots of players that made an impact at Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field.
BIG LEAGUE SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS: On Sunday, the Reds will be one of 30 Major Leagues teams supporting breast cancer awareness. Each team will place a pink chair in the home and visiting bullpens, and each chair will be autographed by players. The chairs will later be auctioned off in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with proceeds benefiting Big Bam! Foundation.
E-mail gestwick@enquirer.com
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Notes: Casey could come back today
