News
Owings works out, itching to return
Pitcher has not played since being beaned Sunday
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
09/11/09 2:47 PM ET
CHICAGO -- Reds pitcher Micah Owings still couldn't hear out of his left ear, which was stuffed with cotton. But Owings was preparing for a workout on Friday morning to get back into the swing of baseball. He hasn't played since he was beaned in the earflap of his helmet on Sunday in Atlanta by a fastball from Kenshin Kawakami. "I'm anxious to get back out there, workout today and see how it feels," Owings said. "As soon as I can get out there, I will." Reds manager Dusty Baker wasn't expecting use Owings during the three-game series vs. the Cubs. "He hasn't done much. They didn't let him do much," Baker said. "I wouldn't think he'd be available until we get home." Owings still had five stitches showing at the top of his jaw line near his ear, which has prevented him from shaving. "It's another reason to let the beard go," said the scruffy Owings. "I want to thank the [Reds] staff and the Braves staff and doctors for taking care of me. I was fortunate and blessed that everything came out alright." Owings has not watched tape of the play, which came with the bases loaded in the 12th inning. It was the go-ahead run that beat the Braves. "Not yet," he said. "I haven't decided if and when, and if I can hear it out of my right ear." In 23 games this season, including 19 starts, Owings is 7-12 with a 5.26 ERA and one save. He had recently been moved to the bullpen from the rotation before getting hurt. One of the Reds' better right-handed hitters off of the bench, Owings is also batting .245 with three home runs and 10 RBIs. Because of his eardrum, Owings wasn't permitted to fly with the team from his hometown Atlanta to Denver until being cleared by an ear, nose and throat doctor on Tuesday. He flew to Chicago to rejoin the team on Thursday night. "No problems at all," Owings said. "I popped some Tylenol just before to make sure everything went smooth." As for stepping back in the batter's box again, Owings expected that to be a smooth process, too. "I was thinking about how many times I've been in the box in my life, and most of the guys playing the game, and how rarely it's happened," Owings said. "I'm always looking forward to getting into the box. At this point, you never know until you step in there."Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
