Sunday, August 18, 2002
Recovering Dessens on track for return
Reds notebook
By John Fay, jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Reds got some good news on the injury front Saturday after a storm of bad news. Right-hander Elmer Dessens threw two innings and 40 pitches in a simulated game.
“He looked good, really good,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “The biggest thing was he was pain-free. But he had really good stuff and his command was there.”
That put Dessens, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 6 because of a strained right groin muscle, on schedule to start Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
“We'll put our collective brains together and decide,” Boone said. “But it looks like he's ready to pitch.”
Dessens agreed.
“Everything felt normal — good,” he said. “I don't feel anything.”
Dessens also fielded some bunts and covered first base without a problem.
Boone hasn't decided who will come out of the Reds' rotation when Dessens returns. Even if every starter throws well between now and Thursday, someone will be skipped.
“That's irrelevant,” Boone said. “(Dessens) is going in there when he's ready.”
Dessens has been the ace of the Reds' staff. He is 7-5 with a 2.67 ERA.
Boone thinks the time off could benefit Dessens.
“Absolutely,” Boone said. “His arm will be stronger.”
Dessens is crucial to the Reds' playoff chances.
“He and (Jimmy) Haynes have been our best,” Boone said. “He's going to be a big part of it if we're going to compete.”
NO GRIFFEY: Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game Saturday.
Griffey, who has a strained left quadriceps, was available to pinch hit. He probably won't start again today.
“I'm inclined to really get it quieted down,” Boone said of Griffey's injury.
KEARNS IN CENTER: Reggie Taylor started in center field Saturday. He is the only true center fielder other than Griffey on the Reds' roster.
Austin Kearns played center Thursday after Griffey was injured. Boone is leaning toward starting Kearns in center and Ruben Mateo in right field today with left-hander Carlos Hernandez starting for the Houston Astros.
“Kearns reads the ball so well,” Boone said. “He always gets a good jump.”
GRAVES CURE: Reds pitching coach Don Gullett didn't have to see Danny Graves throw off the mound to spot the flaw in the closer's delivery.
“He saw something when I was playing catch,” Graves said.
Graves was concentrating so much on staying back that he developed a pause in his throwing motion. Once Gullett made him aware of it, Graves quickly was able to correct it.
“I noticed the difference right away,” Graves said. “Gully is a genius at spotting things like that. I can't wait to go out there and try it.”
Graves had a 10.13 ERA in his last six outings entering Saturday.
FARM REPORT: Right-hander Luke Hudson recorded his third save at Triple-A Louisville on Friday. The Reds are trying Hudson, who has one of the best arms in the organization, in the closer role.
Hudson could be back with the Reds shortly.
“He and Chris Reitsma both deserve to be here right now with the way they're throwing the ball,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “We just don't have room. They'll both be here on or before Sept.1 (when the rosters expand).”
Reitsma is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts.
FARM REPORT II: Left-hander Ty Howington, the Reds' top pick in 1999, has been placed on the disabled list at Single-A Stockton because of a shoulder strain. Howington, who began the year as the Reds' top pitching prospect, has been troubled by shoulder problems all year.
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Recovering Dessens on track for return
