Saturday, August 17, 2002
Larson's promising season may be ended by broken toe
Reds notebook
By John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Brandon Larson's dream night ended in a nightmare. Larson, who homered and drove in both runs over Randy Johnson in the Reds' 7-2 loss to Arizona Thursday, paid a price for that second RBI. Larson suffered a broken left big toe when he was hit by a Johnson pitch with the bases loaded.
Larson was placed on the 15-day disabled list and replaced by outfielder Ruben Mateo on the roster.
“I knew it was bad,” Larson said. “Usually, when you get hit on the foot, you can walk it off. When I got to first, I told (coach) Jose (Cardenal) that I couldn't feel my foot.”
X-rays confirmed Larson had a chip fracture of the toe, which could end his season.
“They told me it could take six weeks to heal,” he said.
Added Larson: “It's tough. You don't get many opportunities. When you do, you have to capitalize on them. I thought I had a pretty good game last night.”
He did. Larson reached base all three times he faced Johnson: the homer, the hit-by-pitch and a walk.
“He's been swinging pretty good lately,” manager Bob Boone said. “I was looking for spots to get him in there.”
Larson was hitting .292 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 12 starts since being called up from Triple-A Louisville.
Mateo was hitting .301 with nine home runs and 23 RBI at Louisville. He hit .277 with a homer and three RBI in 20 games with the Reds earlier this year.
MECHANICAL FLAW: Closer Danny Graves' back is OK. His mechanics are another thing.
“Physically, I feel fine,” Graves said. “But, mechanically, I'm lost.”
Pitching coach Don Gullett spotted a flaw in Graves' delivery on videotape. He had a session with Graves before Friday's game.
“The last time this happened, we worked it out in five minutes,” Graves said.
The stiff back and the mechanical flaw have had Graves struggling recently. He gave up one run and three hits in Friday's loss. Over his last six outings, Graves has allowed eight runs in nine innings.
SULLY ON DL: Friday was the first day in his career Scott Sullivan has been on the disabled list.
“I'm not enjoying it,” he said. “You're not in a position to help.”
Sullivan has shoulder tendinitis, which could be related to when he was hit on the elbow by a Richie Sexson comebacker in May.
“I may have overcompensated and put a strain on my shoulder,” Sullivan said.
INJURY UPDATES: Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the lineup because of a left quadriceps strain. He was available to pinch hit.
John Riedling, who strained a groin muscle Wednesday, continues to improve. He will try to throw off the mound today, and if that goes well, Riedling might be available to pitch tonight.
Elmer Dessens threw off the mound for the first time since injuring a groin muscle Aug. 6. Boone is hoping to have Dessens back in the rotation Aug. 22.
Reds Stories
'You're up, Gus,' team tells Frerotte
Bengals, Bratkowski mum on DUI charge
Bengals will put Colts defense to test
Manning offers Bengals defense second tough test
Colts head home - with one big question mark
Colts Notebook
Tampa Bay 20, Jacksonville 0
Vikings 24, Bills 21
Bears 19, Rams 17
Chargers 24, Seahawks 14
As talks stall with Browns, Johnson looking elsewhere
Injured Guidugli to miss today's UC scrimmage
Land drops back in at UC
City vies for 2006 U.S. championships
RedHawks short on seniors, but long on talent
LSU releases report on cheating player investigation
Final major in a Funk
Somebody should write a book
Mickelson, Duval try to figure out what went wrong once again
PGA Notebook
Scot leads Canadian Women's Open
Dokic stuns Hingis
Earnhardt wins his 1st pole of 2002
Little League still trying to shake scandal as games begin
• Return to Reds front page...
Larson's promising season may be ended by broken toe
