Reds release Hancock
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Jerry Narron set the tone for spring training this morning by announcing that the Reds had released right-hander Josh Hancock.
The announcement came just before players took the field for their first workout.
Hancock was at camp as non-roster invitee, but he spent most of last year with the big league club. He was on the disabled list until September with groin problems. He went 1-0 with 1.93 ERA.
But when the Reds manager discovered that Hancock had arrived in Sarasota a reported 17 pounds heavier than the club wanted, he made his decision quickly.
"I talked to these guys that last day (of last season) in St. Louis about coming to spring training in shape," Narron said. "The only way you do that is to take it seriously. I have no clue of what Josh Hancock did this winter. He might have run a marathon for all I know. He might have been throwing off the mound every day. But he was 17 pounds over his requested reporting weight. Can be a successful pitcher at 17 pounds more than he's asked to be? Maybe. But we looked at last year. He was on the disabled list for 133 games. We did not see the commitment we wanted to see."
Narron added: "Hopefully, Josh has a great major league career. Hopefully, this opens his eyes."
The move with Hancock does not mean that if Adam Dunn comes in 17 pounds over his prescribed weight, he'll be sent packing.
"I'm a guy who believes in treating everyone with respect and honesty," Narron said. "With everybody in that clubhouse, I will do that with and to. But I am not going to sit here and say I'm going to treat everyone the same. I believe you earn the right. There might be a play who comes in her tomorrow 50 pounds overweight. But, if he does, he better have had a good year last year."
The move with Hancock was Narron's call, but new general manager Wayne Krivsky signed off on it.
"Wayne and I have the same type of ideas on ways to turn this organization around," Narron said. "We believe in guys earning their way, not just giving it to them."
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