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Reds sign Mercker to minor-league deal
Left-handed pitcher poised for his fourth tenure, feels he can contribute
> Comment: Do you think Mercker can contribute to the Reds?
Friday, February 08, 2008
CINCINNATI — As one of baseball's most self-deprecating players, pitcher Kent Mercker would say he is going to keep doing it until he gets it right.
Mercker is poised for his fourth tenure in Cincinnati as a left-handed member of the bullpen. The Reds signed him Friday to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league camp.
Extras
The 40-year-old Dublin, Ohio, native and resident blew out his elbow pitching for the Reds in Philadelphia in 2006 and sat out 2007 after Tommy John surgery.
"I sat around in the off-season with my family, which was nice, but baseball is not out of my system," said Mercker, who has made 677 appearances in his 17-year career. He was with the Reds in 1997, 2003, 2005-06 and also has played for Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, St. Louis, Boston, the Angels, Colorado and the Cubs.
"It's good news for some and not so much for others," Mercker said. "I'm sure when a whole lot of National League batters heard about it, they were happy, especially those eligible for arbitration or free agency."
Mercker paused for a laugh and said, "If I can't bring my fastball, I'll bring levity."
Mercker was named in George Mitchell's report as a human growth hormone user and Mercker doesn't deny it. He said he tried it once because he heard it helped injury recovery.
"But it sure didn't make me throw harder or run faster," he said. "I'm just going to tell everybody to read the Mitchell Report. It's in there. It was six years ago and it's over. End of story."
Mercker said he doesn't plan on being a distraction during spring training.
"This will give me peace of mind," he said. "I don't want that pitch in Philadelphia at be my last pitch. I'm not just at 30 percent and I'm not leaving Ohio for a vacation. I told (general manager) Wayne Krivsky I think I can help the team. If I can't, I won't hang around for six weeks. I'll be gone."
Mercker was checked two months ago by team physician Tim Kremchek and was given the all-clear on his elbow. He hasn't thrown off a mound, "But I never do before spring training. I've thrown 180 feet in long-toss sessions and I've waited for pain. I've had none."
In his four seasons with the Reds he has posted a 3.66 earned run average in 192 appearances (25 starts). He has a 2.95 ERA in 253 appearances over his last four seasons, including one of his best years under Reds manager Dusty Baker when both were in Chicago in 2004 when he was 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 761 appearances..
Mercker will compete with left-handers Mike Stanton, Bill Bray, Jon Coutlangus, Tom Shearn and maybe Jeremy Afield for a spot in the bullpen.
Contact this reporter at hmccoy@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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