By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

John Vander Wal will be re-examined by Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek Wednesday.

The Reds hope that examination will determine whether Vander Wal can be part of the club's plans for the 2004 season.

"We'll know a lot more after that," general manager Dan O'Brien said. "I don't want to speculate how long he'll be out until Dr. Kremchek sees him."

Vander Wal had arthroscopic surgery Jan. 27 on his right knee after injuring himself while shoveling snow at his home in Grand Rapids, Mich. The injury reportedly could sideline Vander Wal for the season.

The Reds signed Vander Wal to a one-year, $700,000 contract Jan. 12. He was expected to be the club's fourth outfielder and top left-handed hitter off the bench.

TRANSACTIONS: The Reds signed pitcher Scott MacRae to a minor-league contract Wednesday and named Gary Allenson their minor-league catching coordinator.

MacRae, a 29-year-old right-hander, was 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 24 games with the Reds in 2001. He served as the pitching coach at rookie-level Billings last season while rehabilitating from elbow surgery.

Allenson, 49, spent eight years in the big leagues as a catcher with Boston and Toronto and managed Baltimore's Triple-A club at Ottawa last season. His position is a new one for the Reds organization.

GULLY CLINIC: Reds pitching coach Don Gullett will hold a "Strike Zone" pitching clinic Saturday at Champions Baseball Academy in Sharonville.

The clinic is for pitchers ages 10-18 and will run from 9 a.m.-noon. For more information, call (513) 247-9511.

STENSON CASE: Chandler, Ariz., police released a statement Wednesday saying it appears the slaying of Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson in November came in the course of a random act of robbery.

Stenson's former girlfriend, Jennifer Gaddis, continues to cooperate with police and is considered an "investigative lead." But no relationship between Gaddis and three suspects charged in the killing has been established.