Wilson's health in question
By Marc Lancaster
Post staff reporter
As Paul Wilson has grappled through a dreadful start to the season, he has insisted at every turn that nothing was physically wrong with him.
But when Reds manager Dave Miley laid out his pitching rotation Sunday for the series against the Washington Nationals that begins tonight and his Opening Day starter still was nowhere to be found, the question had to be asked again.
Is Wilson, who last started a week ago today in New York against the Mets, completely healthy?
Not quite, according to general manager Dan O'Brien.
"We think at this point that there may be a little tendinitis (in his shoulder), but we're sort of being very cautions in that vein right now," O'Brien said Sunday. "We're still continuing to treat everything and we're hopeful that the situation will resolve itself."
The next possible starting opportunity for Wilson would be Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series against the Pirates. Eric Milton will start tonight, followed by Brandon Claussen on Tuesday and Aaron Harang on Wednesday.
After Wilson absorbed more punishment his last time out against the Mets, giving up seven runs, six of them earned, in 5 1/3 innings, the Reds decided to give him a breather. Wilson has been working with pitching coach Don Gullett on trying to solve any problems that have led him to a 1-5 record and 7.77 ERA in nine starts.
The Reds had left open the possibility that Wilson could start tonight or Tuesday, but decided to give the right-hander at least a few more days.
Even a Thursday start is not a given for Wilson. That would be Elizardo Ramirez's normally scheduled day, and the rookie has pitched well despite losing both of his starts. When it comes to Ramirez getting another turn, said Miley, "We'll just see how it plays out."
Whatever happens, either Ramirez or Claussen will be out of the rotation when Wilson returns. If it's Ramirez, he'll go back to Louisville and start regularly. If it's Claussen, he'll return to the bullpen - even though he has yet to make an appearance in relief this year, or in his career.
Though Claussen was not called upon in his second bullpen stint this year, the Reds believe he will be ready Tuesday to make his first start since May 10. He left that game early after turning his left ankle while falling to the ground after being struck by a line drive.
Claussen warmed up in the sixth inning Saturday night, which served as what would have been his normal side session, so he is on track to start.
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs....505230324/1027