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REDS NOTES

Dunn brushes off Phillips' barb

Former Red impressed by Cincinnati’s start, says they don’t need his bat in their lineup.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 7:35 AM Wednesday, June 10, 2009

WASHINGTON — Adam Dunn, checking out a new, heavier bat during batting practice, smiled and shook his head when he heard what Brandon Phillips said last week. And, no, he didn't act as if he might like to use the bat on Phillips' kneecaps.

When left fielder Laynce Nix had a big offensive/defense game in St. Louis, Phillips said, "It's great to have a guy in left field who can not only hit the ball but catch the ball, too," an obvious reference to Dunn's defensive deficiencies when he played for the Reds.

"Nice, real nice," said Dunn. "I could probably think of something nasty or humorous to say. I'll ask him about it. No, I won't. That's Brandon. Brandon has to let me go. I'm not there any more. Let me go."

Dunn is impressed with how the Reds are playing and said, "The Reds are doing good, huh? Good pitching, too. That's good." When told the Reds are void of hitting and could use his bat, Dunn said, "No, they don't, either. They're doing just fine."

Then he asked about Jay Bruce and said, "Jay's scuffling, huh? What's he doing? Swinging at everything? Worst thing you can do. You feel like you have to swing early in the count so you're not behind in the count." Told that Bruce was 2 for 33, Dunn laughed and said, "I'm about 3 for 38. But I feel good at the plate.

Dunn laughed again when somebody suggested the Reds probably wouldn't pitch to him and said, "Why wouldn't they? I would."

Votto working out

Some good news for the Reds: Joey Votto is working out in Cincinnati — worked out Monday and worked out Tuesday.

"That's a good sign because he is going through all the regular routines," said Reds manager Dusty Baker. "He's a hard-working guy and it's a good sign when he is working out. Our trainer, Mark Mann, is on the DL, too (broken foot), so he stayed back to work with him."

Votto is eligible to come off the DL Sunday and Baker was asked if he might start minor-league rehab in a day or two and be ready to play Sunday.

"It'll be two weeks Sunday?" asked Baker. "Seems longer. He could do that, but I don't want to put that time frame on him. All I know he is doing better and working on coming back."

Setback for E.E.

Some bad news for the Reds: An MRI Monday was not good for Edwin Encarnacion and he won't be going on a minor-league rehab session this week, as expected.

"He is not going out on rehab," said Baker. "He is with us here and will take some more treatment (cracked wrist). That hand is a tough thing. Something you take for granted until you hurt it. Hopefully he can start doing baseball stuff again in a couple of days, if that soreness isn't still there."

Hairston's quick trip

Why the baseball draft is so hit-or-miss — the 1,637th example.

"I was drafted in the 11th round by the Orioles in 1997," said Reds infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. "Jayson Werth was No. 1 and Darnell McDonald was a sandwich No. 1. Between them and me the Orioles drafted all pitchers. Their farm director told me, 'Sign right now. We have no infielders in the minors. Nothing. You'll make it to the majors real quick.' A year later I was in the majors."

Quotes(s) of the day

— "It rains here every frigging day." — Dunn as he took batting practice. Twenty minutes later a major storm wiped out the Reds' batting practice.

— "Does that seem strange to anybody else? The Phillies put their closer (Brad Lidge) on the DL and call up a backup catcher (Paul Bako). Not a regular catcher, a backup catcher." — Hairston

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JMark, you don't know much about baseball, or libel law. Owings's ERA is NOT 5.00+, it is 4.64 - better than Arroyo. W-L record is not the best measuring stick. Harang & Cueto rarely get run support. A few more runs & they might be league leaders in wins. Owings has given up 2 runs or less in 3 losses & 1 ND. Plus, your continuing comments about him being mentally unfit are potentially libelous and could land both you & the DDN in court in a libel suit. Be careful.

Cait
10:08 AM, 6/12/2009

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Poor Cait-If you think that a pitcher who is 3-7 and a 5.00+ ERA is a "good" pitcher, I have no idea where you get your baseball knowledge. Those are HORRIBLE numbers! I want to get rid of Owings because he is not mentally fit to be a major league pitcher, and he stinks!! He should be playing in the outfield. Just because he can throw a baseball 90mph doesn't mean he should be a pitcher. He his a much better hitter than pitcher-period.

J.Mark
11:10 PM, 6/11/2009

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One of the main reasons the Reds are a much better team this year is because they don't have Dunn in Left field. He is a good hitter with a tremendous eye for the strike zone, but his defensive defficiencies make it absolutely rediculous to re-sign him at his asking price.

Hairston Jr. brings more to winning a baseball game playing left field than Dunn does and demands 1/20 of the money.

In the end, look how much better Dunn has made the Nationals.

Jim
10:07 AM, 6/11/2009

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JMark, what's your problem with Owings? He's doing fine. He's the best NUMBER 5 starter this team's had in awhile. He's no No. 1-2-3 for sure, but his stats hold up to other Reds pitchers: He's 3-7 with a 4.95 ERA. In 3 of the losses, he's given up 2 runs or less. Harang is 5-6 with a 3.74, Arroyo 7-4 with a 5.00, Volquez 4-2 with a 4.35. Only Cueto, 6-3, 2.33, has been lights out. You have a man crush on Bailey or Maloney? Is that why you want to get rid of Owings?

Cait
9:24 AM, 6/11/2009

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Timb, I agree with you on one point - I too wish Adam Dunn was still in LF for the Reds. I was never happy they let him get away. He was a true power hitter the Reds had been missing for YEARS. What is even worse is that we got Micah Owings in the trade-what a WASTE!! A mentally unfit pitcher with a 5.00+ ERA who does nothing but pitch batting practice to opposing hitters. The Reds got the short end of the stick on that trade-FOR SURE!

J.Mark
3:51 AM, 6/11/2009

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