Notes: Classic won't hurt Menechino
02/25/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- When you're a 35-year-old ballplayer with a non-guaranteed contract, each day of Spring Training represents a precious opportunity to leave an impression.
But infielder Frank Menechino, who aspires to make the Reds Opening Day roster, is giving up three of those days so he can play for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
"I have to make this team, so it's kind of nerve-wracking for me to go over there without a guaranteed contract," Menechino said.
Still, Menechino wants to play for Italy and experience the international flair and excitement that the Classic provides. In an effort to fulfill both missions, Menechino will miss the Italian training camp in Lakeland from March 3-6, but then join the club in Orlando for three Pool D games from March 7-9.
If Menechino makes the Reds and helps the Italians, it will have been a sweet spring indeed.
"I think the tournament is going to be a lot of fun and something that rivals an Olympic experience," Menechino said. "The fact that I only have to travel from Sarasota to Orlando helps a lot with this. You look at someone like [Ken Griffey Jr.] going from Florida to Arizona and that's a lot tougher."
Menechino was signed to a Minor League contract on Jan. 10 after two years in Toronto. Although he's battling for a roster spot, Reds manager Jerry Narron said those three days away from the club won't affect Menechino's chances of breaking camp with the Reds.
"It's not going to hurt him one bit," Narron said. "Frank is probably going to play the entire game [in the Classic], and that can only help him.
"I've told Frank I can't come anywhere close to guaranteeing him a spot on this team. But I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he has a chance to make this team. And, if not, to get enough chances so that other clubs will be able to see him play. He deserves that."
Tough decisions: By bringing in a lot of veteran guys, Narron could be facing a multitude of tough decisions when cutdown day arrives.
"I hope so," Narron said. "With the guys we've got here, if you make this club, you're pretty much going to earn it. It'll mean you are supposed to be here. It's not going to be out of default, because we just don't have anybody else. My big thing is guys earning their way here, not just handed jobs."
Innings crunch: With 32 pitchers in camp, the Reds will have to make some priority choices this spring in how they divide the available innings.
"I feel bad for a guy coming in here and wanting to get in 10 innings to show what he can do," Narron said. "But that's just how the game works. We have to get guys ready that we think have a chance of opening the season with us. We have to make sure they get the first looks."
Around the horn: Reliever Ryan Wagner, who was absent from camp Friday because of a 101-degree fever, returned to the Reds clubhouse on Saturday. ... Left-hander Kent Mercker, who cut short a live batting practice session Thursday for precautionary reasons after feeling muscle strain, is throwing on the side and appears to be fine. ... The Reds were relieved to learn that infielder William Bergolla has only a high groin strain and will miss only a few days. It was originally feared that Bergolla might have a hernia problem. ... Shortly after the Saturday morning workout, the Reds traveled by bus in full uniform to the downtown Reds Rally. Chief executive officer Bob Castellini, general manager Wayne Krivsky and Narron were scheduled to address the crowd.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
SARASOTA, Fla. -- When you're a 35-year-old ballplayer with a non-guaranteed contract, each day of Spring Training represents a precious opportunity to leave an impression.
But infielder Frank Menechino, who aspires to make the Reds Opening Day roster, is giving up three of those days so he can play for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
"I have to make this team, so it's kind of nerve-wracking for me to go over there without a guaranteed contract," Menechino said.
Still, Menechino wants to play for Italy and experience the international flair and excitement that the Classic provides. In an effort to fulfill both missions, Menechino will miss the Italian training camp in Lakeland from March 3-6, but then join the club in Orlando for three Pool D games from March 7-9.
If Menechino makes the Reds and helps the Italians, it will have been a sweet spring indeed.
"I think the tournament is going to be a lot of fun and something that rivals an Olympic experience," Menechino said. "The fact that I only have to travel from Sarasota to Orlando helps a lot with this. You look at someone like [Ken Griffey Jr.] going from Florida to Arizona and that's a lot tougher."
Menechino was signed to a Minor League contract on Jan. 10 after two years in Toronto. Although he's battling for a roster spot, Reds manager Jerry Narron said those three days away from the club won't affect Menechino's chances of breaking camp with the Reds.
"It's not going to hurt him one bit," Narron said. "Frank is probably going to play the entire game [in the Classic], and that can only help him.
"I've told Frank I can't come anywhere close to guaranteeing him a spot on this team. But I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he has a chance to make this team. And, if not, to get enough chances so that other clubs will be able to see him play. He deserves that."
Tough decisions: By bringing in a lot of veteran guys, Narron could be facing a multitude of tough decisions when cutdown day arrives.
"I hope so," Narron said. "With the guys we've got here, if you make this club, you're pretty much going to earn it. It'll mean you are supposed to be here. It's not going to be out of default, because we just don't have anybody else. My big thing is guys earning their way here, not just handed jobs."
Innings crunch: With 32 pitchers in camp, the Reds will have to make some priority choices this spring in how they divide the available innings.
"I feel bad for a guy coming in here and wanting to get in 10 innings to show what he can do," Narron said. "But that's just how the game works. We have to get guys ready that we think have a chance of opening the season with us. We have to make sure they get the first looks."
Around the horn: Reliever Ryan Wagner, who was absent from camp Friday because of a 101-degree fever, returned to the Reds clubhouse on Saturday. ... Left-hander Kent Mercker, who cut short a live batting practice session Thursday for precautionary reasons after feeling muscle strain, is throwing on the side and appears to be fine. ... The Reds were relieved to learn that infielder William Bergolla has only a high groin strain and will miss only a few days. It was originally feared that Bergolla might have a hernia problem. ... Shortly after the Saturday morning workout, the Reds traveled by bus in full uniform to the downtown Reds Rally. Chief executive officer Bob Castellini, general manager Wayne Krivsky and Narron were scheduled to address the crowd.
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
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