from early this morning,
Kim getting shot at rotation
Sun-Woo Kim thought he had already made his final start of the 2006 season.
That was last Thursday, pitching for Colorado Springs against Las Vegas, when he got the win despite allowing six runs in six innings.
As it turns out, he'll get at least one more chance to prove himself - for a new employer. The Reds acquired Kim from the Rockies on Tuesday and will give him the ball to start today's series finale against the Giants.
"I thought I was done for the season, but Cincinnati gave me a chance," said Kim. "I'm just surprised and appreciative. They gave me a chance and I want to catch this chance. In September, I'll do my best."
Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said he first contacted the Rockies about acquiring Kim last Friday, and a verbal agreement was reached Saturday.
"He has a good arm," said Krivsky. "Our scouts thought he was worth taking a shot at."
Kim's stuff has been better than his numbers this year. According to Krivsky, the pitcher suffered a hamstring injury early in spring training before joining the Korean team for the World Baseball Classic. Kim didn't pitch for Korea in the WBC but broke camp with the Rockies as a member of their bullpen. It didn't go well, as he allowed 17 hits and 15 runs in seven innings over six relief appearances.
He eventually was sent down to Colorado Springs, where he moved into the starting rotation. In 21 starts for the Sky Sox, he went 8-6 with a 5.05 ERA, averaging just under six innings per start. But he did have some solid performances, including a start against Tucson last month in which he allowed just one hit in seven shutout innings.
Last September, Kim put together a three-hit complete game shutout of the Giants at Coors Field. The Reds hope he'll be able to recapture that magic today.
"We want to see him throw real well (today), and we believe he will," said manager Jerry Narron.
There are no guarantees Kim will remain in the rotation, and with two off days coming up in quick succession, it will be a while before the Reds need a fifth starter again. But this audition has a long-term component, as well. Kim, who turned 29 Monday, will be eligible for arbitration after this season, so the Reds will be able to keep him around if they see him as a useful piece for next year.
Kim is making $600,000 this year, and the Reds received enough cash from the Rockies to split the difference in his remaining salary. Cincinnati will send Colorado a player to be named later or cash as compensation.
ADD ANOTHER - Kim became the 34th player on the Reds' active roster when he was acquired Tuesday, and right-hander Jason Johnson will push that total to 35 today.
A jersey bearing Johnson's name and Dave Williams' former No. 52 already was hanging in a locker at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, and the Conner High School grad will officially join the team before this afternoon's game.
As a condition of the minor league deal Johnson agreed to last week, the Reds promised to bring him to the majors five days after his final start for Louisville. His only start for the Bats came last Friday, when he allowed five earned runs in five innings, so Johnson will be here today. He'll be in the bullpen initially.
"He might get a start here, he might just be a long man," said Narron. "Nothing against Jason Johnson, but I hope our starters stay healthy and go the rest of the way."
The Reds will have to make a move today to add Johnson to the 40-man roster. They designated left-hander Michael Gosling for assignment Tuesday to clear a spot for Kim.
SECOND OPINION - Eddie Guardado has been mystified by the soreness around his left elbow that has kept him sidelined for weeks.
Though an earlier MRI detected no structural damage, the closer will undergo a more thorough examination today in another effort to determine what has kept him from returning. He'll have a saline-enhanced MRI this morning at Dr. Tim Kremchek's office, and he hopes he'll get an answer one way or the other on what ails him.
"You know when you feel better when you're coming off an injury and you're playing catch and you know, 'OK, this is all right,' " said Guardado. "In your mind, you know it's going to be fine. But right now, I don't know that. If I go back on the mound and let it go a little bit, I might be right back to ground zero."
It is not out of the realm of possibility that Guardado could be shut down for the season today and sent to the 60-day disabled list, making room for Johnson on the roster. No one suggested Tuesday that Guardado was done, but the reliever sounded uncharacteristically pessimistic about his condition.
"(Today's MRI is) the last resort," he said. "Just to get peace of mind on what we're dealing with, see what's in there."
ROTATIONS - Now that the uncertainty over today's starter has been cleared up, the Reds have a better handle on how their pitching rotation will play out for the next two series.
Aaron Harang will start Saturday against the Pirates on his regular four days' rest and Bronson Arroyo probably will pitch Sunday. That would push Eric Milton back to start Tuesday's series opener against the Padres, who he limited to one unearned run in six innings in San Diego on Sunday.
Narron said there is a possibility Milton might pitch Sunday, which would push Arroyo back to Tuesday, but a delay in bringing Arroyo back to the mound is unlikely after his performance against the Giants.
