Shortness of breath lands Reds' Burton on DL

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 8:15 AM Monday, July 27, 2009

CHICAGO — Another Cincinnati Reds player landed on the disabled list for another bizarre reason — and do the Reds lead the world in different reasons for DL occupancy?

This one is pitcher Jared Burton and the reason is for physical weakness and shortness of breath. He will undergo bloodwork today in Cincinnati.

"We figured something is wrong because he isn't throwing the same," said manager Dusty Baker. "We wonder if it's something respiratory because he just feels weak. He can't even walk the stairs without getting shortness of breath. This is a guy who can usually run from here to Rockford, Ill."

Burton has no clue what is bothering him, but knows, "My body has felt abnormal. I've had shortness of breath and I seem to feel different every day. The last month my shoulder has bothered me really bad and I think it is because my body is really weak.

"My shoulder is absorbing a lot pressure and I feel I've had to try to pitch at a higher level, but my velocity is still down," Burton added. "Something is not right. I've always been one to keep myself in good shape, eat right, but certain things have been different the last few months. I felt great coming out of spring training, but then it has been downhill."

Josh Roenicke, optioned back to Louisville just nine days ago, was recalled and Baker said, "We didn't think he'd back like this and this soon."

Pain in the neck

Just when catcher Ryan Hanigan is afforded the opportunity to play every day, his neck says, "Oh, no you don't."

Hanigan had three hits Friday, but woke up Saturday with a stiff neck and missed the last two games.

Hanigan became the No. 1 catcher when Ramon Hernandez underwent left knee surgery. Craig Tatum, called up last week from Class AAA Louisville, made his major-league debut behind the plate Saturday and also started Sunday.

"It's pretty sore and we're working on it, but I still can't play," said Hanigan. "It was sore when I woke up and it began spasm when I took batting practice. It's not a big deal, but it is something that is there that will take a couple of days to calm down. Right now I can't turn my head to the left."

Said Baker, "Sometimes you can sleep too much after we got in from LA (at 7 a.m.)."

A chronic problem

Another guy with a neck problem, Laynce Nix, missed his third straight scheduled start Sunday, but Baker said he could play, "But Jonny Gomes has been in there the last couple of days and is swinging pretty good."

Baker said Nix told him he had a collision with Geoff Jenkins a couple of years ago, "And it comes back on him every once in a while. You play this game long enough and stuff comes back on you."

Who are you?

The Reds open a four-game series tonight in Great American Ball Park against the San Diego Padres, last place in the National League West, 24 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles.

Baker picked ukp some statistical information on the Padres and said, "I don't know half of these guys," and he tossed the sheet aside.

Most likely, Cincinnati opponents are saying the same thing when they check out the Reds' roster.

Quote of the day

"Called my wife to give her heck about charging too much and found out later it was me. I called her back and apologized." — manager Dusty Baker.

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