Thursday, September 12, 2002
Reds Notebook
Pena here to learn
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Wily Mo Pena, who hit .255 this year at Double-A, is with the Reds to learn. The hit he got in his first career at-bat Tuesday night was a nice bonus.
“That was good,” he said. “I was a little nervous, but that's all right.”
Manager Bob Boone was impressed with Pena.
“He was in pretty good position,” Boone said. “He took some breaking balls I was expecting him to chase.”
“I'm trying to watch,” Pena said, “to learn what big-leaguers do.”
He has to learn fast. Pena must remain on the 25-man roster next year or the Reds risk losing him.
NAMES TO WATCH: When talking about next year's pitching picture, Boone mentioned right-handers Seth Etherton and Carlos Almanzar.
“I think if Etherton's healthy, he can be an effective big-league pitcher,” Boone said.
Etherton has been rehabilitating from shoulder surgery the last two seasons and has looked good in two simulated games.
The hope is he can continue to build arm strength during the Instructional League and compete for a spot in the rotation next year.
Almanzar was 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA in eight games with the Reds this year.
“He looked pretty good for us and at Louisville,” Boone said.
Almanzar had been on the disabled list since taking an Alex Rodriguez comebacker off his right hand June11.
While rehabbing the finger, it was discovered he had bone chips in his elbow. He had surgery last week. But he's expected to be ready by spring training.
STREAK ON: Todd Walker singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to seven games.
100K: Aaron Boone's strikeout in the third inning was his 100th of the year. That gives the Reds three players with 100 strikeouts. Adam Dunn (a club-record 153) and Jason LaRue (110) had reached the mark earlier.
It's the first time since 1989 the Reds have had three players strike out 100 times. Todd Benzinger, Eric Davis and Rolando Roomes did it that year.
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Reds Notebook: Pena here to learn
