Reds to get rid of struggling Graves

CINCINNATI -- Closer Danny Graves was let go by the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, a day after he made an obscene hand gesture at a fan taunting him over his latest poor performance.

The club's career saves leader was shocked by the decision to designate him for assignment, a move that ended his eight-year career in Cincinnati. The Reds have 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.

"I always knew this day would come," Graves said. "I didn't think it would be so soon."

Graves gave up five ninth-inning runs in Cleveland's 9-2 victory Sunday at Great American Ball Park, then was booed and taunted by fans as he left the field.

He didn't react to the jeers as he walked off and got a drink in the dugout. When he moved to the end of the dugout by the bat rack, a man in one of the high-priced seats next nearby yelled at him. Graves yelled back and made an obscene hand gesture.

Graves spoke by telephone on Monday with general manager Dan O'Brien, who was out of town preparing for the amateur draft, and with other Reds officials.

"A lot of the off-field emotions had something to do with it, and last night when I flipped the man off had something to do with it," Graves said. "A fan cussed at me. I regret doing it. I planned on apologizing today."

Graves' latest tough outing raised his ERA to 7.76. He was 1-1 and had 10 saves in 12 chances.

The Reds had lost 18 of their last 23 games, falling out of contention in the NL Central. O'Brien said that Graves' encounter with the fan wasn't the main reason for the move.

"His performance has been unsatisfactory and unacceptable," O'Brien said, in a conference call. "It hasn't been up to the standards we've come to expect for the Cincinnati Reds organization. We appreciate Danny's contributions to the organization, and we hope he finds an opportunity with another major league club."

Graves, 31, hasn't been the same since he agreed to help the team by moving into the rotation in 2003. A career reliever, Graves wore down during a 4-15 season that took several miles per hour off his fastball and took a toll on his body. He was throwing around 88 mph this season, down from 94 mph in his prime.

"I changed roles and probably ruined my career," Graves said. "I don't know. I don't have the answers. I felt like I've been given up on. It's a shock to me. If I can recall, I'm not the only closer that has struggled."

Graves is in the final guaranteed year on a $17.25 million, three-year deal, making a base salary of $6.25 million. There was a mutual option for next season at $6.25 million, with no buyout.

If he clears waivers, a club could sign him for a prorated share of the $316,000 minimum, with the Reds paying the remainder of his salary.

Stunned teammates sat in folding chairs in the clubhouse after learning of the move, which leaves the team without a proven closer. Several players said Graves should have been given a chance to work out his problems.

"This is not his fault," first baseman Sean Casey said. "We stink. For us to be 15-28 has nothing to do with Danny Graves. That's the frustrating part for me.

"I know I'm a little emotional right now, but I think the Cincinnati Reds as an organization owe a lot more to Danny Graves for the eight years he stepped up every year. They owe him more than to just release him like this. I just disagree with it."

Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. said he's never seen anything quite like the move.

"It's tough," Griffey said. "He's not a troublemaker. He's not a guy that complained. He wants the ball. It's just upsetting. It's a tough way to lose a guy that's been here and dedicated himself to the organization."

Graves criticized Reds fans for booing after the bullpen blew a six-run lead in the ninth inning against St. Louis on May 2, resulting in more boos and catcalls every time he appeared in a game the rest of the month.

"It became a confidence factor," manager Dave Miley said. "His confidence has been shaken in the month of May, and we weren't comfortable bringing him in certain situations. We weren't seeing what we were accustomed to seeing."

The rest of the bullpen has gone 0-for-3 in save situations this season. Miley isn't sure who will get the job.

"Without pinpointing one guy, we'll look at the matchups and different things like that," Miley said. "Hopefully somebody will run with it."

Casey said the move would hurt the team.

"No doubt about it," Casey said. "This is just like getting hit in the head with a shovel, basically. Guys love Danny Graves. I don't know how it doesn't affect you a little bit negatively."

Baseball

* The Reds designated closer Danny Graves for assignment on Monday, a day after he made a hand gesture at a taunting fan following his latest poor performance.

Graves, the Reds' career saves leader, gave up five ninth-inning runs in Cleveland's 9-2 victory Sunday at Great American Ball Park, then was booed and taunted by fans as he left the field.

Graves didn't react to the fans as he walked off the field and went to the end of the dugout to get a drink. When he returned to the end by the bat rack, a man in one of the high-priced seats next to the dugout yelled at him. Graves yelled back and made an obscene hand gesture.

Graves spoke with general manager Dan O'Brien and other Reds official by phone before the club decided to designate him for assignment, a move that ends his career with Cincinnati. The Reds have 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.

The 31-year-old reliever slipped to 1-1 with a 7.76 ERA after his performance Sunday.

Rodriguez goes on DL

The Los Angeles Angels put closer Francisco Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a strained right forearm. The move is retroactive to May 15.

Rodriguez was the surprise star of the 2002 postseason, when he became the youngest pitcher to win a World Series game. He set an Angels record for relievers last season with 123 strikeouts in 84 innings and pitched in his first All-Star game. He was promoted from setup man to closer when the team decided not to re-sign franchise saves leader Troy Percival last winter.

The 23-year-old Rodriguez is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 10 saves in 11 chances.

Padres All-Star second baseman Mark Loretta is scheduled to have surgery on a torn ligament in his left thumb Tuesday and is expected to miss at least two months.

Loretta was examined Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz., by hand specialist Dr. Don Sheridan, who repaired the same ligament four years ago. Sheridan will perform the operation Tuesday.

Loretta was hurt while sliding headfirst into first base while beating out an infield single against Atlanta last Tuesday night.