Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Reds Notebook: Kelly who? Stinnett returns
Backup catcher beset with injuries
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MILWAUKEE — Kelly Stinnett was finally back with the Reds after a season of rehabbing elbow and groin problems.
“It does seem like forever,” the catcher said. “But it was good to go down (to Triple-A Louisville) and get some at-bats — even though I didn't hit very well. I missed a month last year, so it had been a while since I played.”
Stinnett caught only one game for the Reds before his elbow injury put him on the disabled list. Then, on the last day of rehab for the elbow, he injured his groin.
Stinnett's role will be to back up Jason LaRue. Corky Miller, whom Stinnett replaced on the roster, usually got two or three starts a week during his time with the Reds.
Stinnett won't play that regularly.
“I'll play LaRue until he needs a day,” Boone said.
Stinnett will catch knuckleballer Jared Fernandez. The two played together five or six times at Louisville.
SILVA TO REHAB: Right-hander Jose Silva, on the DL with weakness in his right shoulder, had another good throwing session Monday.
“His velocity was good — much better than last time,” Reds pitching coach Don Gullett said.
Silva will throw one more bullpen session Wednesday. He'll then rehab with Louisville beginning Friday.
Elbow and shoulder problems have limited Silva to six games and 12 innings this season.
OUT IN LEFT: Brandon Larson was working in left field with Reds outfield coach Jose Cardenal before Monday's game.
Larson is a third baseman by trade, but the Reds also want him to play first base and left field. He did play six games in left field at Louisville, but he's never played first.
“It's different in the infield. You have to be ready for the possibility of making a play on every pitch,” Larson said. “I guess it's the same in the outfield. But you can go a whole game without getting a ball. You tend to doze.
“But I definitely think if you can play infield, you can play outfield.”
Larson is all for branching out.
“The more places you can play, the more you help your team and help yourself,” he said.
FARM REPORT: Left-hander Ty Howington started and went five innings for Double-A Chattanooga on Sunday. Howington, the Reds' No.1 pick in 1998, allowed three runs on six hits in a 3-2 loss to Tennessee.
UP NEXT: The Reds wrap up their two-game series with Milwaukee at 8:05 p.m. today. Right-hander Elmer Dessens (5-5, 3.07 ERA) faces Milwaukee right-hander Ben Sheets (4-10, 4.09).
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Reds Notebook: Kelly who? Stinnett returns
