Great another injury

[Reds_fan_4_life]

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Saturday, August 6, 2005

Gardner's season finished
Team's top 2004 minor-leaguer had shoulder surgery

By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer
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The season has ended prematurely for the player selected by the Reds as their top minor-leaguer last year.

Pitcher Richie Gardner, who made 13 starts for Double-A Chattanooga this season, underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

"It was similar to, maybe a little more extensive than what Luke Hudson had (in 2003)," said Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek, who performed the surgery at Beacon Orthopaedic Center. "He had a cyst inside his shoulder. We tried to treat him non-operatively, but he just couldn't get over the hump."

Gardner soon will travel to Sarasota, Fla., to begin his rehabilitation at the Reds complex there and is expected to be throwing again in time for minor-league spring training.

A sixth-round draft pick in 2003, Gardner was rated by Baseball America as the third-best Reds prospect entering this season.

The 23-year-old was coming off a sensational professional debut when he went 13-5 with a 2.53 ERA in 29 games at Single-A Potomac and Double-A Chattanooga. His ERA led all Reds minor-leaguers and tied for the organizational lead in wins.

The Reds honored him with the Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award as the top player in their farm system in 2004.

This season, however, Gardner's stats were noticeably off. He went 3-6 with a 5.73 ERA over 66 innings. Opponents batted .309 against him.

Asked if the injury helped explain Gardner's stats this year, Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said, "Very much so."

JACK'S BACK: Continuing a tradition that dates to his days as Reds manager, Jack McKeon stopped by Straus Tobacconist on Walnut Street Friday morning.

A group of approximately 30 fans and friends were there to greet the Marlins manager.

"Did I hit the cigar store?" McKeon said. "Is the Pope Catholic?

"They advertised it all week. I had to get there."

MR. WILSON: The sling is off and the recovery is going better than expected for Paul Wilson.

The right-hander underwent season-ending arthroscopic shoulder surgery in June to repair a partially torn rotator cuff and labrum.

"We're way ahead of schedule," said Wilson, who is signed through next season with a club option for 2007. "We're hoping to be throwing again before the end of the season."

MINOR MATTER: Reds pitcher Josh Hancock is scheduled to make another rehabilitation start for Triple-A Louisville today.

The right-hander, who has been on the disabled list with a right groin strain all season, will throw 85 to 90 pitches.

ODDS AND ENDS: Reds legend and Hall of Fame first baseman Tony Perez attended Friday's game. Perez, a special assistant to the Marlins president, also was presented the bobblehead of his likeness that the Reds handed out Wednesday. ... The Cubs activated relief pitcher Scott Williamson from the disabled list Friday. The former Red is just 10 months removed from undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow for the second time in his career. ... The first 6,000 fans ages 14 and younger through the gates today will receive American Girl doll-sized outfits. The outfits will be distributed at the Main Street entrance only. Gates open at 5:10 p.m.


http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...508060415/1071

might be old news but great another arm hurt.

[redsrbetter]

This sucks. I was wondering what was wrong with gardner this season. Now we know. Thank God he did not just fall off though. This will definitely tamper his way up to the majors.