Ricky

Stone

Stone will be available today.

Stone has given the Astros 160 1/3 innings of a 3.65 ERA over the last two years, so it seems rather rude of Williams not to put him alongside Dotel and Lidge. Still, Stone and Dan Miceli appear to be locks for jobs. That leaves Jeriome Robertson, Brandon Duckworth, Dave Veres, Brandon Backe, Kirk Saarloos, Mike Gallo and Carlos Hernandez in a competition for three jobs. Robertson is a candidate to be traded.

Stone was able to post ERAs in the mid-3.00s for Houston in 2002 and 2003, but he proved to be far more hittable this year. Maybe facing a new set of hitters in the American League would help him.

Stone, an effective middle reliever for the Astros in 2002 and 2003, had a 6.45 ERA in 43 appearances for Houston and San Diego last season. He’s a pretty good NRI, but he’s never featured the stuff to make one think that lasting success was likely.

Stone pitched a scoreless inning before departing.

Stone left Saturday’s game with a bruised toe.

Stone’s departure is a surprise, as the Cincinnati papers were indicating that he was probably the favorite to occupy the lone opening in the pen. Now it seems that either Jose Acevedo, Todd Coffey or Joe Valentine will join Danny Graves, Ryan Wagner, David Weathers, Kent Mercker, Ben Weber and the loser of the fifth-starter competition (Josh Hancock or Brandon Claussen).

Now the Reds Reds won’t have to send down Edwin Encarnacion to make room for Elizardo Ramirez, Monday’s starter. Stone had a 6.75 ERA in 30 2/3 IP as a reliever for the Reds.

Not too surprising. He pitched well in the minors this year, but had a 6.75 ERA with the Reds.

Stone had a 6.75 ERA in 30 2/3 IP before being let go by the Reds earlier this month. He’ll report to Triple-A Memphis.