Saturday, May 25, 2002
More playing time to Larkin's liking
Reds notebook
By John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ATLANTA — The addition of Ken Griffey Jr. to the roster may mean more playing time for Barry Larkin. Gookie Dawkins, the only other true shortstop on the roster, was sent to the minors to open up a roster spot for Griffey.
Dawkins replaced Larkin in the late innings of lopsided games and started four times when Larkin had the day off.
“I'm still going to protect Barry,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “I probably pushed (his off day) back five games before I gave him (Thursday) off.”
Larkin is ready to play more if needed.
“That's cool with me,” he said. “I feel good. I didn't feel like I needed a day off. I haven't fought it, either. I accept that based on what's happened the last two years.”
Larkin was limited to 147 games over the past two seasons by injuries. The idea is to rest him periodically this season to keep him strong.
The Reds might be better now that Dawkins is not an alternative at short. They were 0-4 in games he started, but are 2-0 in games Wilton Guerrero started at short.
Guerrero isn't as good as Dawkins defensively. But Dawkins offered very little offensively.
Boone said he'll also use his son Aaron at shortstop. Catcher Jason LaRue can play third, as can Guerrero.
BIG BAT ON BENCH: Griffey's return should help the Reds' bench. Whomever doesn't play among the outfielders and first baseman Sean Casey becomes a top pinch-hitting threat.
“I've got Austin Kearns on my bench (Friday),” Boone said. “That's good to know I can use that bat (at some point).”
FEELING BETTER: Dawkins , who was upset about being demoted to Double-A Chattanooga instead of Triple-A Louisville, was in the Lookouts' lineup Friday night.
“I just talked to him,” said Reggie Taylor, a Reds outfielder and Dawkins' cousin. “He was doing all right.”
Taylor said Dawkins took the demotion hard.
“He knew he was going down at some point,” Taylor said. “I think it was going to Double-A (that bothered him). But his spirits were better today.”
Why was he sent to Double-A?
“It's the easiest place for him to play,” Boone said. “We're looking for him to have success. We don't want him to struggle.”
Dawkins hit .226 at Chattanooga in 394 at-bats last year and .231 in 368 at-bats in 2000.
CASTRO UPDATE: Juan Castro played all nine innings of an extended spring training game in Sarasota Friday.
Castro, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since March 29 because of a strained left hamstring, will go to Triple-A Louisville to begin a rehabilitation assignment.
SULLIVAN UPDATE: Scott Sullivan on Friday threw for the first time since getting a cortisone shot Tuesday in his right elbow.
Sullivan did long-toss Friday and will throw a light bullpen session today.
“I don't know what light is for me,” he said. “I usually go wide open. We'll see how it feels.”
Sullivan could be available as soon as today.
The trick is getting Sullivan back in the regular bullpen mix. He needs to work a lot to be effective, but he probably won't be effective until he works a lot.
“We probably won't use him in his usual spot for a while,” Boone said. “We'll probably put him in some innocuous situations the first few times out.”
FARM REPORT: Right-hander Seth Etherton made his first start at Double-A Chattanooga Thursday and retired all six batters he faced. Also at Chattanooga, Ranier Olmedo had two hits. He has hit in 15 of his last 16 games, raising his average from .204 to .274.
UP NEXT: The Reds take on the Braves at 7:05 p.m. today in the second game of a three-game series. today at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Jimmy Haynes (3-5, 5.29 ERA) faces right-hander Jason Marquis (3-2, 4.40). The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net.
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More playing time to Larkin's liking
