By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - For John Vander Wal, it all happened in an instant.

He was clearing snow from around his car in January at his home in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"It was twist, slip, boom," he said.

Vander Wal immediately knew it was bad.

"I knew I screwed it up," he said. "When I got in the house, my knee was already huge."

Vander Wal had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and underwent surgery Jan. 27.

That might have been the end of his Reds career. The club signed Vander Wal, one of the game's premier pinch-hitters, for $700,000 as a free agent. Following the injury, the team could have given him an injury settlement and cut ties.

Instead, the Reds and Vander Wal have agreed to the following plan: He'll be released today and re-signed to a minor-league contract, then rehab with the Reds staff.

When he's cleared to play, he'll sign a new big-league contract.

"I'm very pleased we worked this out," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "The goal's the same: We want John Vander Wal in a major-league uniform and playing for the Cincinnati Reds."

Vander Wal came to camp Sunday to be examined by Dr. Tim Kremchek and isn't ready to write off the season.

"John looks remarkable," Kremchek said. "He still has a ways to go."

After the tests Sunday, Vander Wal and O'Brien worked out the deal.

"Everything's good," Vander Wal said. "We worked it out."

An injury like Vander Wal's usually requires four to nine months of rehab. Vander Wal thinks he can do better.

"I don't want to give you a date for when I'll be back," he said. "But I have one in mind. It will be much sooner than later. I'm going to be back as soon as possible."

Vander Wal is walking normally.

"It will be seven weeks on Tuesday," Vander Wal said. "I've been working hard at home. I'm a lot further ahead than the normal ACL rehab."

Vander Wal will work with Reds physical therapist Tim Elser for the rest of camp with the Reds, then return to Cincinnati for more rehab when the season begins.

Outfielder Stephen Smitherman will be optioned to Triple-A Louisville. (Michael E. Keating photo)

CUTS: Seventeen players were trimmed from the roster in moves that become effective today. The only mild surprise was outfielder Stephen Smitherman.

Smitherman was hitting .320 with a home run and four RBI in 25 at-bats.

"The thing for him is to play every day," Miley said. "He's had a hell of a spring, but it wouldn't do him any good with our nucleus of three outfielders to keep him here."

Pitchers Matt Belisle, Juan Cerros, Luke Hudson and Joe Valentine, and Smitherman will be optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

Pitcher Phil Dumatrait and infielders William Bergolla and Edwin Encarnacion will be optioned to Double-A Chattanooga.

Non-roster pitchers Rigo Beltran, Chris Booker, Seth Etherton, Brian Mallette, Brian Shackelford and Dustin Moseley; infielder Aaron Holbert; and catchers Steve Lomasney and Miguel Perez will be re-assigned to the minor-league camp.

SANCHEZ TODAY: Left-hander Jesus Sanchez and reliever John Riedling will pitch in a simulated game today against minor-leaguers.

Jimmy Haynes will pitch a side session today as well.

Everyone has the day off. Hitting coach Chris Chambliss is coming in to work with hitters who want extra batting practice.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com