Monday, June 24, 2002
White not on DL, may pitch later in week
Reds notebook
By Neil Schmidt, nschmidt@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Reds had figured to place reliever Gabe White on the disabled list Sunday, but they didn't because the infection in his left (pitching) hand has improved.
“There's a chance if it heals up that he may be able to play in the St. Louis series (next weekend),” Reds medical director Tim Kremchek said. “It's only a chance. I'm not going to say it's probable at all.”
But it could be key. Without White, the Reds have only one other left-hander on the roster — Bruce Chen — and Chen is scheduled to start Thursday in Chicago. Kremchek said the Reds would give White aggressive treatment and wait until Thursday morning to decide his status.
“You need a lefty every day,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “The Cardinals are a particular team that don't swing as well against any lefty. We'd like to have him back, but we can't force Mother Nature, either.”
White spent two days in Good Samaritan Hospital because of the infection.
Kremchek said he had identified the organism that caused it but declined to state it.
White stopped by the Reds clubhouse before Sunday's game. Kremchek said White would still receive antibiotics intravenously through Wednesday. White still has an open incision in his hand — “to let it drain,” Kremchek said — but will begin exercises today to see how well he can use the hand.
“We didn't want to disable Gabe in case he's able to pitch in St. Louis,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “That (putting him on the DL) is a last resort for us.”
CROWDS IMPROVE: The Reds drew 251,498 fans on the nine-game homestand, for an average of 27,944. Before this homestand, their home average had been 20,958.
“This is certainly an improvement,” chief operating officer John Allen said. “We had some attractive games in there — playing Seattle and Oakland, a bobblehead doll night and a (Village People) concert. But we hope this is a springboard.”
The attendance figures bear watching because club officials have said the only way payroll would increase was if attendance showed marked improvement.
NO FIREWORKS: The Reds didn't win or hit a home run Sunday. But if they had, there wouldn't have been fireworks.
Fireworks were suspended for the day after an incident Saturday night. When Sean Casey homered, the fireworks set ablaze a trash bag on Cinergy Field's right-field roof and some burlap bags in various spots on the Great American Ball Park construction site.
“We'll change the type of charge they use so that sort of thing doesn't happen again,” Allen said. “We'll have fireworks again for the next homestand.”
DOWN ON THE FARM: Brandon Larson went 2-for-4 Saturday, hitting his 20th home run to lead Triple-A Louisville to a 3-2 victory over Norfolk. Larson ranks among the International League leaders in homers (second), slugging percentage (second, at .655), RBI (third, with 56) and hitting (tied for sixth, .328). Jose Acevedo (5-4) allowed one earned run in seven innings for the victory Saturday.
Ryan Snare of Single-A Stockton, who entered play Saturday with an 8-1 mark and a California League-leading 2.47 ERA, surrendered nine runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 10-7 loss at Visalia. His ERA is now 3.07, tied for eighth in the league.
Brad Salmon (7-5) allowed only two runs and struck out 13 in 8 2/3 innings as Single-A Dayton beat South Bend 5-2.
UP NEXT: The Reds begin a four-game series tonight in Chicago, with Reds right-hander Elmer Dessens (4-4, 2.63) opposing Cubs rookie right-hander Mark Prior (2-1, 4.01).
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White not on DL, may pitch later in week
