Hancock comes up at last
Right-hander finally has shaken injury bug
By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer
HOUSTON - Right-hander Josh Hancock will arrive in Houston today and be activated Thursday, barring any unforeseen problems.
That last clause must be added with Hancock, because this season has been one long, strange trip for him.
Hancock has spent the entire season on the disabled list after suffering what was thought to be a minor groin injury in spring training.
He had numerous setbacks. He ultimately injured his elbow on a rehabilitation assignment.
But he pitched three innings of one-hit, shutout ball in Triple-A Louisville's 6-2 loss to Toledo on Monday.
"He's been medically cleared," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "... He's ready to go."
Hancock, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 5-1 with a 4.45 ERA last year. He was competing for the starting rotation before the injury.
A SECOND SECOND: Ken Griffey Jr. finished second in National League player of the week voting for the second straight week.
David Wright of the New York Mets won the award. Griffey hit .407 with four home runs and five RBI for the week. Wright hit .481 with three homers and five RBI.
The week before, Griffey finished behind teammate Felipe Lopez.
"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride," Griffey said.
Griffey probably will have a shot at the NL player of the month award for August.
Going into Tuesday, he was hitting .370 with 10 home runs and 19 RBI in the month. His on-base-plus-slugging was 1.133. Adam Dunn was the July player of the month with a 1.092 OPS.
Griffey was tied for the league lead in homers and led in slugging over the last 30 days.