savafan
03-04-2006, 12:41 PM
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060304/SPT04/603040334/1071
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
SARASOTA, Fla. - Miguel Perez has read about how good he is defensively.
"But I am still working on my defense," he said. "I know I can get better."
Perez, a 22-year-old Venezuelan, is considered the future of Reds catching.
"He's solid," said bullpen catcher Mike Stefanski, who coaches the catchers. "He throws well. He loves to throw. He's a big target. He blocks well, moves well.
"He has everything it takes to catch in the big leagues."
Perez was named the Reds' minor-league defensive player of the year. He spent most of the year at Single-A Sarasota, where he hit .268 with four home runs and 33 RBI in 80 games.
The Reds thought enough of him to bump him up to Triple-A when Dane Sardinha got hurt. Perez struggled at the plate - .208, one home run, five RBI in 21 games - but he held his own defensively.
The Reds rewarded Perez with a September call-up to the big leagues.
Perez's bat probably will determine how soon he gets a longer stint in the big leagues.
Sardinha is ahead of Perez for now on the depth chart. But Sardinha turns 27 on April 8.
"I would like to be there now," Perez said. "But I'm still getting experience."
WILSON UPDATE: Right-hander Paul Wilson continues to make progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.
He takes another big step Sunday when he throws to live hitters.
"I'm on a five-day plan," he said. "It's going good - no problems."
Wilson still is not scheduled to pitch in a game.
"He'll work up to throwing about 45, 50 pitches in a simulated game," trainer Mark Mann said. "After that, we'll schedule him in a game."
MILTON OK: Eric Milton has been able to continue throwing, despite his strained calf.
"I've thrown two bullpens since it happened," he said. "It doesn't bother me. I just don't want to pull it running to cover first or something like that."
Milton injured the calf doing calisthenics.
"We're taking it day-to-day," Milton said.
MERCKER UPDATE: Kent Mercker is still recovering from a strained lat muscle. He has yet to throw in a game.
"I'm taking advantage of the fact that spring training is 6-and-a-half weeks long," he said. "I don't want to go one step forward, two steps back."
BERGOLLA UPDATE: A second examination in Cincinnati confirmed that William Bergolla does not have a hernia. He suffers from a high groin strain.
BY JOHN FAY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
SARASOTA, Fla. - Miguel Perez has read about how good he is defensively.
"But I am still working on my defense," he said. "I know I can get better."
Perez, a 22-year-old Venezuelan, is considered the future of Reds catching.
"He's solid," said bullpen catcher Mike Stefanski, who coaches the catchers. "He throws well. He loves to throw. He's a big target. He blocks well, moves well.
"He has everything it takes to catch in the big leagues."
Perez was named the Reds' minor-league defensive player of the year. He spent most of the year at Single-A Sarasota, where he hit .268 with four home runs and 33 RBI in 80 games.
The Reds thought enough of him to bump him up to Triple-A when Dane Sardinha got hurt. Perez struggled at the plate - .208, one home run, five RBI in 21 games - but he held his own defensively.
The Reds rewarded Perez with a September call-up to the big leagues.
Perez's bat probably will determine how soon he gets a longer stint in the big leagues.
Sardinha is ahead of Perez for now on the depth chart. But Sardinha turns 27 on April 8.
"I would like to be there now," Perez said. "But I'm still getting experience."
WILSON UPDATE: Right-hander Paul Wilson continues to make progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.
He takes another big step Sunday when he throws to live hitters.
"I'm on a five-day plan," he said. "It's going good - no problems."
Wilson still is not scheduled to pitch in a game.
"He'll work up to throwing about 45, 50 pitches in a simulated game," trainer Mark Mann said. "After that, we'll schedule him in a game."
MILTON OK: Eric Milton has been able to continue throwing, despite his strained calf.
"I've thrown two bullpens since it happened," he said. "It doesn't bother me. I just don't want to pull it running to cover first or something like that."
Milton injured the calf doing calisthenics.
"We're taking it day-to-day," Milton said.
MERCKER UPDATE: Kent Mercker is still recovering from a strained lat muscle. He has yet to throw in a game.
"I'm taking advantage of the fact that spring training is 6-and-a-half weeks long," he said. "I don't want to go one step forward, two steps back."
BERGOLLA UPDATE: A second examination in Cincinnati confirmed that William Bergolla does not have a hernia. He suffers from a high groin strain.