By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Pete Harnisch. (Enquirer file photo) | ZOOM |

Pete Harnisch was driving to Cincinnati for a little mechanical tune-up with pitching coach Don Gullett when the call came that might have ended his career.

It was Reds director of player development Tim Naehring, who informed Harnisch that the Reds had released him.

Harnisch was steamed - not by the release, but by the way it was handled. He said he thinks general manager Jim Bowden should have made the call.

Harnisch said that in a conversation 10 days ago with Bowden, he was led to believe he was still in the Reds' plans and that there was no need to rush his rehab from "Tommy John" surgery.

"One of us missed the whole conversation," Harnisch said. "I guess it was me."

Bowden didn't address the meeting specifically but said: "We all met (Friday) morning. After consultation with minor-league personnel, the decision was made that (Harnisch) was not making any progress. Our pitching coach, Don Gullett, felt that the way he'd been throwing, there was no way he could help us this year."

Harnisch was 0-4 with a 10.06 ERA at Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds, Bowden added, needed Harnisch's spot for a younger pitcher.

So on Friday, Harnisch was released, along with pitcher Jamie Navarro. Brandon Larson and left-hander Mark Watson were activated off the disabled list to take their spots on the Louisville roster.

"If you think I'm (bad), just tell me man to man," Harnisch said. "I can handle it. I've been around the block."

Harnisch, a 36-year-old right-hander, was coming back from surgery performed April 21, 2002. He has a 111-103 career record, going a combined 30-17 with the Reds in 1998 and '99, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since his elbow problems began in August 2001.

"I'm not going to sugar-coat it," Harnisch said. "I was smacked around pretty good. I was struggling to get to the fifth inning."

Harnisch's comeback was slowed by a virus that caused him to miss a start, and by a left hamstring strain.

"When I threw 88, 89 (mph) consistently, I had my few good outings," Harnisch said. "But, at times, I was fighting to get to 84, 85."

Harnisch said he was told it would take 15 to 18 months to recover from the surgery. He's not sure what he'll do next, although retiring is an option.

"I haven't got past clearing out of here," he said.