savafan
04-22-2007, 07:01 PM
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070422/SPT04/304220027/-1/CINCI
BY BILL KOCH | BKOCH@ENQUIRER.COM
Ken Griffey Jr. is expected to return to the Reds lineup Tuesday in St. Louis after not starting the past four games because he was suffering from diverticulitis.
The Reds’ right fielder delivered a pinch-hit RBI double in the ninth inning of their 9-3 loss to the Phillies on Sunday.
His hit did nothing to alter the game’s outcome but it was a welcome sight for a team that has been struggling to score runs.
“It feels a lot better the last couple of days,” Griffey said. “The first two days were rough, but the last couple of days I felt close to normal, at least as close to normal as I get.”
Griffey’s illness had been a mystery until Sunday when he was asked about it by reporters. At first, he remained coy, saying that he didn’t want to reveal his condition for fear that he would be repeatedly questioned about.
Finally, he asked Reds public relations director Rob Butcher if he should disclose his condition.
When Butcher suggested that it would be in his best interest, Griffey confirmed that it was diverticululitis.
“It’s just a condition I have,” he said. “I’ve got to watch everything that I eat. There are certain foods that I have to stay away from. It’s something that a lot of people have and it’s uncomfortable.”
Griffey said he was first diagnosed with the condition about six months ago.
Reds manager Jerry Narron said before the game that Griffey could have started, but that he thought it was best for him to take one more day off, then have the off day today before rejoining the lineup on Tuesday in St. Louis.
“It’s one of those things that I knew it might be best if I just took one more day,” Griffey said, “but I was still able to go out there and do some of the things baseball-wise without feeling too much discomfort.”
The Reds, who scored only six runs in their three games against the Phillies, could use a boost from Griffey to get their offense untracked.
“He’s a big person in the lineup,” Narron said. “When you lose a guy who’s getting on base 40 percent of the time, you’re losing something.”
Griffey is batting .275 with no home runs and 7 runs batted in. He has also walked 10 times.
BY BILL KOCH | BKOCH@ENQUIRER.COM
Ken Griffey Jr. is expected to return to the Reds lineup Tuesday in St. Louis after not starting the past four games because he was suffering from diverticulitis.
The Reds’ right fielder delivered a pinch-hit RBI double in the ninth inning of their 9-3 loss to the Phillies on Sunday.
His hit did nothing to alter the game’s outcome but it was a welcome sight for a team that has been struggling to score runs.
“It feels a lot better the last couple of days,” Griffey said. “The first two days were rough, but the last couple of days I felt close to normal, at least as close to normal as I get.”
Griffey’s illness had been a mystery until Sunday when he was asked about it by reporters. At first, he remained coy, saying that he didn’t want to reveal his condition for fear that he would be repeatedly questioned about.
Finally, he asked Reds public relations director Rob Butcher if he should disclose his condition.
When Butcher suggested that it would be in his best interest, Griffey confirmed that it was diverticululitis.
“It’s just a condition I have,” he said. “I’ve got to watch everything that I eat. There are certain foods that I have to stay away from. It’s something that a lot of people have and it’s uncomfortable.”
Griffey said he was first diagnosed with the condition about six months ago.
Reds manager Jerry Narron said before the game that Griffey could have started, but that he thought it was best for him to take one more day off, then have the off day today before rejoining the lineup on Tuesday in St. Louis.
“It’s one of those things that I knew it might be best if I just took one more day,” Griffey said, “but I was still able to go out there and do some of the things baseball-wise without feeling too much discomfort.”
The Reds, who scored only six runs in their three games against the Phillies, could use a boost from Griffey to get their offense untracked.
“He’s a big person in the lineup,” Narron said. “When you lose a guy who’s getting on base 40 percent of the time, you’re losing something.”
Griffey is batting .275 with no home runs and 7 runs batted in. He has also walked 10 times.