Notes: Dunn transitions to first base
02/20/2006
SARASOTA, Fla. -- In camp early with a new contract, and a new position in the field, first baseman Adam Dunn completed his first workout Monday morning.
After dealing away first baseman Sean Casey to Pittsburgh in December, Cincinnati decided to move Dunn in from left field, allowing the club to find everyday spots for outfielder Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns.
Dunn filled in at first base late last season when Casey was injured. He also played the position in high school.
"I anticipate doing well," Dunn said. "It should be an easier transition going from the outfield to the infield since I've played infield a little."
Although he originally agreed to participate if asked, the 26-year-old Dunn decided to pass on playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because he wanted to use the time to improve defensively. While home in Texas during the offseason, he didn't take any grounders.
"I'll work on it. That's what Spring Training is for," Dunn said. "I'll come in and do some early work and try to get as good as possible -- in a hurry."
Dunn batted .247 with 40 home runs and 101 RBIs last season, which made him only the third hitter in Reds history to have back-to-back 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons. He was rewarded with a two-year, $18.5 million contract with a $13 million club option for the 2008 season, which avoided arbitration.
"First and foremost, I'm glad to have gotten it out of the way, so I don't have to deal with it," Dunn said. "I didn't want to go to arbitration and fortunately, the Reds didn't want to go either. Everything worked out for both sides, I think."
Wilson update: The rehabilitation from shoulder surgery continued to be positive for starting pitcher Paul Wilson. The right-hander stretched his long toss regimen to 120 feet Monday, and he will be throwing in a side session from flat ground Wednesday.
Reds head trainer Mark Mann said that Wilson could be throwing in a live batting practice session next week.
Wilson's last bullpen session was Wednesday. He was given a longer rest period since the volume and intensity of his pitches had been increasing. He was throwing at around 75 percent but ended sessions working at 90 percent intensity.
Injury report: Right-hander Luke Hudson reported improvement after missing Sunday's workout with lower back spasms. Mann said Hudson would long toss Tuesday if the pitcher felt better.
More arrivals: Reds catcher Javier Valentin was part of the latest wave of position player arrivals to camp Monday. Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and infielder Ray Olmedo also showed up. Position players aren't required to report until Tuesday. Tony Womack, Wily Mo Pena and Rich Aurilia are among those who have yet to appear.
Valentin just returned from Puerto Rico, where he was with his wife when she delivered a baby boy on Wednesday. The newborn came two weeks premature and had difficulty breathing at first.
"It was scary," Valentin said. "Right now, he's responding and doing a little better. He's home with his mom. Everybody is OK."
It will be a relatively short stay in Florida for Valentin, who will return to Puerto Rico on March 2 to play for his country in the World Baseball Classic. Manager Jerry Narron said that would mean more opportunities in camp for the two younger catchers on his 40-man roster -- Dane Sardinha and Miguel Perez.
"They're going to get a lot of playing time," Narron said.
Emergency catcher? With Scott Hatteberg in camp, Narron was asked if he would use the veteran behind the plate this spring or during the season. Hatteberg, now a first baseman, was a catcher earlier in his career while with Boston.
It didn't sound likely that Hatteberg would be seen in catcher's gear too often.
"I talked with Hatteberg about trying to get [utility player] Ryan Freel out of the emergency catcher role," Narron said. "I think Freelie wants to fight him for it though.
"I may be completely wrong, but if he catches this year, I'll be very surprised."
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
SARASOTA, Fla. -- In camp early with a new contract, and a new position in the field, first baseman Adam Dunn completed his first workout Monday morning.
After dealing away first baseman Sean Casey to Pittsburgh in December, Cincinnati decided to move Dunn in from left field, allowing the club to find everyday spots for outfielder Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns.
Dunn filled in at first base late last season when Casey was injured. He also played the position in high school.
"I anticipate doing well," Dunn said. "It should be an easier transition going from the outfield to the infield since I've played infield a little."
Although he originally agreed to participate if asked, the 26-year-old Dunn decided to pass on playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because he wanted to use the time to improve defensively. While home in Texas during the offseason, he didn't take any grounders.
"I'll work on it. That's what Spring Training is for," Dunn said. "I'll come in and do some early work and try to get as good as possible -- in a hurry."
Dunn batted .247 with 40 home runs and 101 RBIs last season, which made him only the third hitter in Reds history to have back-to-back 40-homer, 100-RBI seasons. He was rewarded with a two-year, $18.5 million contract with a $13 million club option for the 2008 season, which avoided arbitration.
"First and foremost, I'm glad to have gotten it out of the way, so I don't have to deal with it," Dunn said. "I didn't want to go to arbitration and fortunately, the Reds didn't want to go either. Everything worked out for both sides, I think."
Wilson update: The rehabilitation from shoulder surgery continued to be positive for starting pitcher Paul Wilson. The right-hander stretched his long toss regimen to 120 feet Monday, and he will be throwing in a side session from flat ground Wednesday.
Reds head trainer Mark Mann said that Wilson could be throwing in a live batting practice session next week.
Wilson's last bullpen session was Wednesday. He was given a longer rest period since the volume and intensity of his pitches had been increasing. He was throwing at around 75 percent but ended sessions working at 90 percent intensity.
Injury report: Right-hander Luke Hudson reported improvement after missing Sunday's workout with lower back spasms. Mann said Hudson would long toss Tuesday if the pitcher felt better.
More arrivals: Reds catcher Javier Valentin was part of the latest wave of position player arrivals to camp Monday. Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and infielder Ray Olmedo also showed up. Position players aren't required to report until Tuesday. Tony Womack, Wily Mo Pena and Rich Aurilia are among those who have yet to appear.
Valentin just returned from Puerto Rico, where he was with his wife when she delivered a baby boy on Wednesday. The newborn came two weeks premature and had difficulty breathing at first.
"It was scary," Valentin said. "Right now, he's responding and doing a little better. He's home with his mom. Everybody is OK."
It will be a relatively short stay in Florida for Valentin, who will return to Puerto Rico on March 2 to play for his country in the World Baseball Classic. Manager Jerry Narron said that would mean more opportunities in camp for the two younger catchers on his 40-man roster -- Dane Sardinha and Miguel Perez.
"They're going to get a lot of playing time," Narron said.
Emergency catcher? With Scott Hatteberg in camp, Narron was asked if he would use the veteran behind the plate this spring or during the season. Hatteberg, now a first baseman, was a catcher earlier in his career while with Boston.
It didn't sound likely that Hatteberg would be seen in catcher's gear too often.
"I talked with Hatteberg about trying to get [utility player] Ryan Freel out of the emergency catcher role," Narron said. "I think Freelie wants to fight him for it though.
"I may be completely wrong, but if he catches this year, I'll be very surprised."
Source: http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/
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