Thursday, May 11, 2006
Milton has plan to return May 20
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Left-hander Eric Milton has it mapped out: Exhibition game against Pittsburgh Monday, then back for real May 20 against Detroit.
Doesn't he think he could use another rehab start in between?
"I don't," he said. "But it's not up to me."
The plan Milton outlines could be the one the Reds use.
"We'll see how he does and how he feels," Reds manager Jerry Narron said.
Milton, 2-1 with a 6.50 ERA, has been on the disabled list since April 24 surgery on his left knee.
He tested the knee in an 85-pitch simulated game Wednesday.
"It felt normal," he said. "No problems. It was a good sign. We'll see how it feels (today)."
Milton pitched the simulated session a day after taking pitcher's fielding practice. He had no lingering effects from that.
The added benefit Milton is getting is his arm doesn't feel like it usually does in early May.
"My arm's rested," he said. "It feels great. That's the nice thing."
Milton threw all his pitches Wednesday.
"I was making stuff up," he said, "dropping down (side arm)."
Milton said the plan is for him to throw five innings in the exhibition game with Pittsburgh.
"They want me to get up and down (between innings)," he said.
Milton's pitch count is where it needs to be. He threw 80 pitches in his previous bullpen session before Wednesday.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...605110382/1071