Dontrelle Willis Is Back in Control

Dontrelle Willis spent two years trying to find the strike zone.  The once promising ace had lost command of his pitches and bounced around between Detroit, Arizona and the minor leagues.

He walked 84 batters in 98 innings over the two lost seasons.

When asked to describe his last two years, he said, "Terrible.  That's all I can say about them."

Willis signed with the Reds.  Dusty Baker asked around and was told by people he trusts that Willis just needed a chance to get his confidence back.  He went to Goodyear, Arizona with a chance to make the Reds staff as a long reliever or as a lefthanded setup man to replace Arthur Rhodes.

The still young 29-year old, 2003 Rookie of the Year, had periods in which he threw strikes and games that he couldn't in spring training.  He twisted his ankle when he tripped over a bat covering homeplate. 

"Dontrelle is going to be in the mix before this is over," Dusty Baker said.

As luck would have it, Willis pulled his groin, avoiding a broken bat and spent time on the disabled list just when the Reds were going through a rough period.  Several pitchers were out with injuries.  The Reds had to add two hurlers to the roster but Willis was out of action.

Willis returned June 6th.  Since his return, he started five games, including Wednesday.  He has pitched 32 1/3 innings in those games and walked just six and just one over the 21 innings.

Right now the Reds are getting excellent starting pitching but should one of the five falter, Willis could be promoted on the strength of his 5-2 record with a 2.63 ERA.