Luke

Prokopec

Prokopec isn’t likely to make it back to the majors this year, but he hasn’t given up. The one-time top prospect was injured in 2002 and has been rehabbing ever since.

Prokopec has thrown 30 to 40 pitches at 50 to 60 percent.

Prokopec is coming back from a torn labrum. He might join the Reds in August.

It’s the same surgery Prokopec underwent last September. The Rule 5 pick will miss the rest of this season and may not be ready for spring training.

The minor league contract Prokopec signed with the Dodgers in November had to be reworked because the right-hander was added to Cincinnati’s 40-man roster after he was taken in the Rule 5 draft. He’s now on a one-year deal and he’ll probably be eligible for arbitration after the season.

Prokopec has twice undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum. If healthy, he’ll get a chance to compete for a bullpen spot next spring. However, he’s probably going to need some time in Triple-A before he’ll be ready to pitch in the majors again. Expect him to open 2004 on the DL and go on a lengthy rehab assignment before returning.

Prokopec became a free agent after being removed from the Reds’ 40-man roster. “I think we’ll still talk to him and try to bring him back on some type of deal where we wouldn’t pay him much until he starts pitching,” assistant GM Brad Kullman said. “He did say he wants to stay with the Reds and continue rehabbing with our medical staff because he really likes working with those guys. But it’s something we’ll probably put off until we see if the new GM is on board with it. Our people really liked Luke before he got hurt, and we still think he can help us down the road.”

Prokopec, who probably won’t be ready for the start of next season after undergoing shoulder surgery in July, rejected the assignment and became a free agent.

Prokopec missed last season, and since he needed a second shoulder surgery, he isn’t expected to resume pitching until August. He won’t be a factor until 2005.

Prokopec is expected to spend most of the season on the disabled list. The Rule 5 pick will probably begin a rehab assignment in August and join the Reds in September as a mop-up man.