Wednesday, June 05, 2002
Rijo sent to bullpen; roster spot in doubt
Almanzar to start
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Carlos Almanzar has taken Jose Rijo's place in the Reds' starting rotation, and the team has five major-league pitchers in the minor leagues waiting their turn. But that doesn't mean Rijo's days as a Red are over.
“I still think he can get people out,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “They still aren't hitting the breaking ball. He's struggled in his last few starts. He'll go back to the bullpen and work there. You have to remember the workload he's had after all the injuries and the surgeries. That's a lot of strain on the arm and the elbow.”
But something will have to give soon. The five players rehabilitating at Triple-A Louisville are ready to return to the Reds or are getting close.
Right-hander Jose Silva started for the Bats Tuesday night and threw three innings. He didn't allow a run on four hits while walking none and striking out one. Silva had allowed only 10 hits and two earned runs in 13 innings entering the outing.
“He's throwing the ball great,” Bowden said. “He's very close.”
Left-handers Brian Bohanon and Lance Davis each have been in the Louisville rotation for more than a month. Davis (1-2, 6.84 ERA) has struggled, but Bohanon (3-0, 3.86) has been effective.
Right-hander Seth Etherton, who had a 0.96 ERA in three Double-A starts, was promoted to Louisville on Tuesday. He will start Saturday.
“Don't forget John Riedling,” Bowden said. “He's throwing 90, 92 (mph). He's in the same class as Danny Graves when he's healthy. He went one inning with one strikeout (in his last outing).”
So what gives?
“All that does is give us competition,” Bowden said. “We want depth at Triple-A, so when someone gets hurt, we can go get somebody.”
Rijo, a 37-year-old right-hander who gave up seven runs in five innings in his previous start, would seem to be on the bubble.
“Pitchers determine their role by how they pitch,” Bowden said. “Jose has performed extremely well at times. Most of his problems have been in the four, fifth, sixth inning.”
The Reds decided to take a gamble on Almanzar, a 28-year-old right-hander, for Saturday's start in Anaheim. He hasn't started a game since 1999, with Triple-A Las Vegas.
“I'm excited,” Almanzar said. “This an opportunity.”
The Reds like that Almanzar throws 95 mph and that he has had success since his May20 promotion from Louisville. Going into Tuesday, Almanzar had not allowed a run in seven appearances spanning 11 innings. He had struck out seven and allowed only four hits.
Stamina is the only question. Almanzar was closing at Louisville, and only when he came to the Reds did he pitch more than one inning. But he did go three innings in his last outing.
So how long can Almanzar go?
“We'll find out,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “We should be able to stretch him to 80 to 100 pitches.”
The Reds' other alternative was right-hander Jim Brower, the long man in their bullpen.
“They know I can start,” Brower said. “But Bob likes me in my role. Carlos is throwing well. If it was my decision, I'd do the same thing.”
Almanzar was available in the bullpen Tuesday night and will be available tonight.
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Rijo sent to bullpen; roster spot in doubt
