Wilson set for shoulder surgery
BOSTON -- Paul Wilson hates knives. He hates doctors. He hates hospitals. And he hates surgery.
But in his pro career, the 32-year-old Wilson has suffered two injuries in which he wasn't able to avoid any of those things. And he was unable to avoid them a third time this season.
The right shoulder tendinitis that landed Wilson on the disabled list on May 25 will now land him on the operating table. Wilson will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder on Friday.
Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Reds medical director, will perform the surgery. He said it was the only option remaining with Wilson's shoulder.
"He tried to fight through it, and we shut him down then rehabbed him pretty hard the last couple weeks," Kremchek said. "But he's hit a wall. He just hasn't been able to get over the hump. We had him throw, we rehabbed him, stretched him, we've done everything. The last thing you want to do is have surgery on his shoulder, but he's not helping the team, and he's not helping himself. We just had to do what's best for the Reds organization and Paul Wilson."
What Kremchek will do is look to see if Wilson, who had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in 1996 and surgery on his elbow in 1999, has a torn labrum or some other injury that's not showing up on an MRI.
"You don't know if the degenerative process has caught up with him," Kremchek said. "It's time to be more aggressive. You're able to go in there and look at things you would never pick up on an MRI. If it's repairing a torn labrum, that's what we'll do. If it's just cleaning it out, that's what we'll do."
Because he's not sure what the surgery will uncover, Kremchek said he can't say for certain how long Wilson, the Reds' Opening Day starter, will be out.
Wilson struggled on the mound all season, going 1-5 with a 7.77 ERA in nine starts. The velocity on his fastball was noticeably lower his last few times out.
When the Reds first announced that Wilson had shoulder tendinitis last month, he admitted he pitched through the pain for several weeks, which might have worsened his condition.
"I think Paul's biggest issue is he didn't want to let his teammates down," Kremchek said. "He's a leader, and he feels strongly about his teammates. As much as he hates doctors and hospitals, he hates letting his teammates down more. But he realizes this is what's best for the organization."
Soaking in Fenway: Todd Coffey was out jogging in left field at Fenway Park on Monday afternoon when a tour group filed into the stands.
"I was out there running, but I was listening to the tour guide," Coffey said with a laugh.
With the Reds playing in Boston for the first time since the '75 World Series, some of the younger Reds players, who had never been to the historic park, didn't try to hide their appreciation of the unique surroundings.
"Just the feeling you get when you come through the tunnel, just like Chicago, and you think about all the players who have come through there before," Matt Belisle said. "It's awesome."
A few others weren't quite as inspired. Adam Dunn shrugged when asked what his impressions of the park were.
"Baseball's baseball, wherever you play," he said. "I don't get into that [historical] stuff."
But will Dunn be trying to put one the other way, over the Green Monster?
"I've been trying to put one the other way for a month," he said with a smile. "I can't do it anymore. I used to be able to do it. Maybe tonight."
Put me in, coach: After manager Dave Miley posted Monday's lineup, in which Ken Griffey Jr. was listed as the designated hitter, Griffey had a little fun lobbying to play in the field.
"This is the first time the Reds have played here in 30 years, and there's not going to be a Griffey in the outfield?" Junior said with a laugh.
Third base coach Mark Berry jokingly suggested Griffey play his dad's old position in right -- a treacherous spot in Fenway. Griffey wasn't all that excited about that proposition.
Miley, meanwhile, didn't budge. He said Sunday that he expects to "spread the wealth" when it comes to deciding who will play DH in each of these three games under American League rules.
Hancock watch: Josh Hancock struggled again in his second rehab outing with Triple-A Louisville, though not to the extent of his first.
In an 11-2 loss to Buffalo, Hancock gave up four runs on eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts over five innings.
Bong gone: Left-hander Jung Bong made his first rehab appearance on Monday night, and he'll immediately begin rehabbing again.
Bong fractured his left hand on a comebacker during his outing with Class A Sarasota. He's expected to miss three to six weeks.
Bong, who's been on the DL all season following shoulder surgery last fall, had given up three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits with a walk and a strikeout in four innings before suffering the injury.
Reds report: Legendary broadcaster Joe Nuxhall was back in the booth on 700 WLW's broadcast of Monday's game. He'll also be pairing with Marty Brennaman on Wednesday. ... Dane Sardinha, who bats right-handed, is expected to make his first start at catcher on Tuesday against left-hander David Wells. Sardinha is with the club until Wednesday, when Jason LaRue is expected to be activated from the bereavement list. ... Ryan Freel and Wily Mo Pena both returned to the starting lineup from knee injuries on Monday. ... Sean Casey has not struck out in his last 70 plate appearances, the longest such streak in the big leagues this season. ... The Reds have scored at least 10 runs in four of their last five games and have homered in each of the last nine games.
On deck: The Reds and Red Sox continue their Interleague series with Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. ET game at Fenway Park. Right-hander Luke Hudson (1-0, 7.50 ERA) will go up against left-hander David Wells (4-4, 5.07).
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
But in his pro career, the 32-year-old Wilson has suffered two injuries in which he wasn't able to avoid any of those things. And he was unable to avoid them a third time this season.
The right shoulder tendinitis that landed Wilson on the disabled list on May 25 will now land him on the operating table. Wilson will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder on Friday.
Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Reds medical director, will perform the surgery. He said it was the only option remaining with Wilson's shoulder.
"He tried to fight through it, and we shut him down then rehabbed him pretty hard the last couple weeks," Kremchek said. "But he's hit a wall. He just hasn't been able to get over the hump. We had him throw, we rehabbed him, stretched him, we've done everything. The last thing you want to do is have surgery on his shoulder, but he's not helping the team, and he's not helping himself. We just had to do what's best for the Reds organization and Paul Wilson."
What Kremchek will do is look to see if Wilson, who had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in 1996 and surgery on his elbow in 1999, has a torn labrum or some other injury that's not showing up on an MRI.
"You don't know if the degenerative process has caught up with him," Kremchek said. "It's time to be more aggressive. You're able to go in there and look at things you would never pick up on an MRI. If it's repairing a torn labrum, that's what we'll do. If it's just cleaning it out, that's what we'll do."
Because he's not sure what the surgery will uncover, Kremchek said he can't say for certain how long Wilson, the Reds' Opening Day starter, will be out.
Wilson struggled on the mound all season, going 1-5 with a 7.77 ERA in nine starts. The velocity on his fastball was noticeably lower his last few times out.
When the Reds first announced that Wilson had shoulder tendinitis last month, he admitted he pitched through the pain for several weeks, which might have worsened his condition.
"I think Paul's biggest issue is he didn't want to let his teammates down," Kremchek said. "He's a leader, and he feels strongly about his teammates. As much as he hates doctors and hospitals, he hates letting his teammates down more. But he realizes this is what's best for the organization."
Soaking in Fenway: Todd Coffey was out jogging in left field at Fenway Park on Monday afternoon when a tour group filed into the stands.
"I was out there running, but I was listening to the tour guide," Coffey said with a laugh.
With the Reds playing in Boston for the first time since the '75 World Series, some of the younger Reds players, who had never been to the historic park, didn't try to hide their appreciation of the unique surroundings.
"Just the feeling you get when you come through the tunnel, just like Chicago, and you think about all the players who have come through there before," Matt Belisle said. "It's awesome."
A few others weren't quite as inspired. Adam Dunn shrugged when asked what his impressions of the park were.
"Baseball's baseball, wherever you play," he said. "I don't get into that [historical] stuff."
But will Dunn be trying to put one the other way, over the Green Monster?
"I've been trying to put one the other way for a month," he said with a smile. "I can't do it anymore. I used to be able to do it. Maybe tonight."
Put me in, coach: After manager Dave Miley posted Monday's lineup, in which Ken Griffey Jr. was listed as the designated hitter, Griffey had a little fun lobbying to play in the field.
"This is the first time the Reds have played here in 30 years, and there's not going to be a Griffey in the outfield?" Junior said with a laugh.
Third base coach Mark Berry jokingly suggested Griffey play his dad's old position in right -- a treacherous spot in Fenway. Griffey wasn't all that excited about that proposition.
Miley, meanwhile, didn't budge. He said Sunday that he expects to "spread the wealth" when it comes to deciding who will play DH in each of these three games under American League rules.
Hancock watch: Josh Hancock struggled again in his second rehab outing with Triple-A Louisville, though not to the extent of his first.
In an 11-2 loss to Buffalo, Hancock gave up four runs on eight hits with three walks and seven strikeouts over five innings.
Bong gone: Left-hander Jung Bong made his first rehab appearance on Monday night, and he'll immediately begin rehabbing again.
Bong fractured his left hand on a comebacker during his outing with Class A Sarasota. He's expected to miss three to six weeks.
Bong, who's been on the DL all season following shoulder surgery last fall, had given up three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits with a walk and a strikeout in four innings before suffering the injury.
Reds report: Legendary broadcaster Joe Nuxhall was back in the booth on 700 WLW's broadcast of Monday's game. He'll also be pairing with Marty Brennaman on Wednesday. ... Dane Sardinha, who bats right-handed, is expected to make his first start at catcher on Tuesday against left-hander David Wells. Sardinha is with the club until Wednesday, when Jason LaRue is expected to be activated from the bereavement list. ... Ryan Freel and Wily Mo Pena both returned to the starting lineup from knee injuries on Monday. ... Sean Casey has not struck out in his last 70 plate appearances, the longest such streak in the big leagues this season. ... The Reds have scored at least 10 runs in four of their last five games and have homered in each of the last nine games.
On deck: The Reds and Red Sox continue their Interleague series with Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. ET game at Fenway Park. Right-hander Luke Hudson (1-0, 7.50 ERA) will go up against left-hander David Wells (4-4, 5.07).
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
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