Thursday, June 06, 2002
Reds Notebook: Silva returns from DL
Rookie Pineda sent to Triple-A to make room
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Reds sent rookie reliever Luis Pineda to Triple-A Louisville Wednesday and activated Jose Silva from the 15-day disabled list.
“It wasn't anything (Pineda) did,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “We want him to get regular work. Silva deserves to come up.”
Pineda, 27, a right-hander obtained in the Dmitri Young deal with Detroit, will start in Louisville. He could end up being the Reds' fifth starter.
“Sure, maybe,” Boone said.
Pineda (0-3, 3.33 ERA) was unhappy with the move. He politely declined to speak with reporters.
Pineda has pitched well for the most part. His streak of 9 2/3 innings in which he gave up just one hit ended May27 in Atlanta. He gave up five runs over his next three outings before throwing a score less inning Tuesday. Opponents hit only .204 against him.
Pineda throws 95 mph and has a good breaking ball.
“Not many teams have that kind of arm in their bullpen,” said Jose Rijo, Pineda's mentor. “I think (the Reds) want to get a few more innings out of that arm. He can be a very good starter.”
Silva, a right-hander who had been on the DL since March 21 after having elbow surgery, showed how close he was to being ready by throwing three scoreless innings for Louisville Tuesday.
“His velocity is just about there,” Boone said.
Silva's 30-day rehabilitation assignment was up Wednesday.
Kelly Stinnett, who caught Silva Tuesday, said Silva is throwing well.
“... Last year he was lighting up the board at 96 (mph),” Stinnett said. “Now, he's at 92 or so. But he has pinpoint control.”
Silva has struck out 11 and walked one in 16 innings at Louisville.
“He'll pitch out of the bullpen for now,” Boone said.
NO PROBLEM: The Reds' crowded outfield won't be a problem beginning Friday. That's when the Reds begin a stretch of interleague road games against Anaheim and Texas.
Boone said he'll use either Ken Griffey Jr. or Adam Dunn as the designated hitter.
“It depends on Junior's leg,” Boone said. “If he needs a break from playing the field, we might use him at DH.”
TOUR TIME: Corky Miller took a tour of Great American Ball Park Wednesday and was impressed. “They've got it done up right,” he said. “They thought of everything. The players came first.”
The tour was available to all players, but only Miller went.
“I get here at 1. It was either that or run,” he said.
STINNETT VISIT: Stinnett took advantage of an off day for Triple-A Louisville and made the trip to Cincinnati to get some work in.
Stinnett (right elbow) is on a rehab assignment, and its 20-day limit expires June 13.
“I'm getting close,” he said. “I feel better than I did during spring training.”
Stinnett's return will force another difficult decision for the Reds. Corky Miller, who took Stinnett's place on the roster, is hitting .308 with three home runs and 13 RBI.
Stinnett is hitting .259 in 11 games at Louisville.
RIJO'S BACK: Rijo rejoined the team after going to the Dominican Republic to attend the funeral of his maternal grandfather, Antonio Acosta.
Acosta was 98 and died in his sleep.
“He was never sick,” Rijo said. “But it will be hard on my family.”
Acosta and Rijo were close.
“He raised me,” Rijo said. “My father left when I was 4. He paid for my school. He'd go to all my games.”
BACK WITH BIG ONE: The Reds and WLW-AM (700) agreed to a new five-year contract extension through the 2007 season. WLW has been the Reds' flagship station since 1969.
“It's a cliche,” Reds chief operating officer John Allen said, “but it's a win-win situation. ... They have such a strong signal, it's good for our fans.”
Allen would not disclose the terms of the contract.
ALL-STARS: Ten Reds Single-A players made all-star teams. For Stockton (Calif.), catcher Damian Sapp (13 homers, 35 RBI), left-hander John Koronka (11-0, 3.07) and right-hander Dustin Moseley (6-1, 2.86) made the California League team. They'll play the Carolina League all-stars June 18.
Seven Dayton players made the June 18 Midwest League game: catcher Bryan Prince (two homers, nine RBI), third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (.296, six home runs, 28 RBI), outfielder Noochie Varner (.316, three homers, 27 RBI) and right-handers Andy Boutwell (4-0, 1.91), Daylan Childress (3-5, 4.07), Nate Cotton (1.27, 13 saves) and Brad Salmon (6-3, 4.03).
Reds Stories
McElroy needs to score at draft camp
Huggins lunches with Nuggets GM
Golf Course Spotlight: Otter Creek
Lakers 99, Nets 94
O'Neal proves mountainous obstacle
Nets' slow start costly
Carolina's Irbe stands up to Stanley Cup pressure
Next for U.S. team: South Korea
U.S. - Portugal photo gallery
Sollmann sets NCAA baseball records
OSU's Sylvester breaks hand
UK search for AD hits full speed
Longest day for War Emblem
Coming up this week
DAUGHERTY: Madeira baseball star overcomes tragic crash
Madeira wakes up to possibilities
Sycamore, Hamilton hope for state softball showdown
Ex-Red Bair helping Milford
Ohio Softball Tourney Schedule
Ohio Baseball Tourney Schedule
Ohio Track Championships Schedule
Norwood hires Highlands coach
CovCath resumes with 3-0 lead
N.Ky. football all-star game tonight
• Return to Reds front page...
Reds Notebook: Silva returns from DL
