Wednesday, September 04, 2002
Reds Notebook
Guillen making good impression
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ST. LOUIS - Jose Guillen was looking for an opportunity when he signed with the Reds. Thanks to injuries to Austin Kearns, Ken Griffey Jr.and Brandon Larson, he's getting one.
Guillen made his third straight start in right field Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.
“He's given us very professional at-bats,” manager Bob Boone said. “I'm very impressed with him.”
That's exactly what Guillen was hoping for when he signed with the Reds.
“I wanted to do something to show people I could still play,” Guillen said. “That was the problem in Arizona. (Diamondbacks manager Bob) Brenly said I was going to get a chance. I played five games in a row, then I have the two bad games in New York against the Yankees, and he doesn't play me anymore.”
Guillen, 26, hit .229 with four homers and 15 RBI in 54 games with Arizona.
He was designated for assignment July 15, and the Colorado Rockies signed him on July 26. He played five games for Triple-A Colorado Springs before asking for and receiving his release.
Guillen went a month without playing before the Reds signed him to a minor-league contract. He realizes his chances of becoming an everyday player with the Reds are remote.
“Maybe someone else will see me,” he said.
NO GRIFFEY: Griffey missed his fifth straight start after aggravating his hip flexor/quadriceps injury Thursday, but he was available to pinch-hit.
RIEDLING READY: Right-hander John Riedling will be activated off the disabled list today. He has been on the DL since Aug. 20 because of a strained groin muscle.
Riedling should be able to jump back into his role of setup man.
“I felt pretty good the last six days,” he said. “(Monday) in the bullpen, my mechanics and command were really good. I was surprised because I had been out so long.”
FARM REPORT: Three of the Reds' farm teams made the playoffs: Single-A Stockton (California League) and Dayton (Midwest League), and rookie level Billings (Pioneer League).
Triple-A Louisville finished two games behind Toledo in the International League, and Double-A Chattanooga was fifth in the second half of the Southern League.
The Rookie Gulf Coast League Reds finished their season last week.
UP NEXT: The Reds wrap up the three-game and season series with the Cardinals at 8:10 p.m. today.
Reds right-hander Ryan Dempster (7-13, 5.55 ERA) faces St.Louis' Jamey Wright (6-13, 5.24), whom the Cardinals obtained Wright from Milwaukee on Aug.28.
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Reds Notebook: Guillen making good impression
