Dontrelle Willis happy, working hard
REDS NOTEBOOK
9:02 PM, Feb. 17, 2011


Written by
John Fay


The Enquirer/Michael E. Keating
Pitcher Dontrelle Willis is a free agent invitee to Reds camp.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Left-hander Dontrelle Willis had a one-on-one throwing session with pitching coach Bryan Price after Thursday's workout.

That's been pretty much routine since January.

"We're neighbors," Willis said. "That's been a blessing."

Willis, the 29-year-old left-hander, is in camp with the Reds because manager Dusty Baker wanted to give him a chance.

Baker's wife, Melissa, has known Willis' mother, Joyce, since their school days. Baker talked to Willis after Ray Burris, a pitching coach with the Detroit Tigers organization, recommended Willis to Baker.

"(Burris) said there's nothing wrong with (Willis) physically or mental," Baker said. "He just needs someone to believe in him and give him an opportunity."

But Price will be in charge of getting Willis back to being an effective big leaguer. Willis went 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA in 2005. He went 12-12 with a 3.87 ERA in 2006. But he is 13-24 since and hasn't had a season in which his ERA was under 5.17 since.

Price was surprised by how well Willis threw when the two got together after Willis signed.

"I saw a guy that had a delivery that wasn't much of a problem," Price said. "He's got a repeatable delivery now and he's throwing a ton of strikes."

Willis was back in camp Thursday after his wife had baby, Jasmine, on Wednesday. He's trying to make the Reds as a reliever.

"I'm having fun," Willis said. "Bryan knows his stuff. He's done a good job working with me and we had a good time doing it. I have respect for relievers. Starters have four days to think about what they're trying to do. Relievers have four minutes."

VOLQUEZ ARRIVES: Right-hander Edinson Volquez arrived in camp Thursday morning.

Volquez was delayed because he had to pass a drug test in the Dominican before being given a travel visa. The test was the result of the Volquez's 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. He will have to return to the DR to get a work visa. He said that should not be a problem.

Volquez confirmed that he turned down a four-year deal that was "a little less" than Johnny Cueto's $28 million deal.

"I believe in myself," he said. "I think after I pitch a full year I can get a better deal."

Volquez, who had "Tommy John" surgery in August of 2009, says he's 100 percent.

"I feel great," he said. "I was working out with some of young guys at the academy."

BAKER ON PUJOLS: Baker says if anyone deserves the kind of money St. Louis star Albert Pujols is demanding, it's Pujols.

"The way some of the guys are getting paid -- if anyone's worth the money whatever it is -- it's Albert," Baker said. "If you say: Who should be the highest paid guys in baseball? You've got to mention Albert."

Baker would not mind someone other the Cardinals pay Pujols that.

"Would I care eventually to watch him for another team?" Baker said. "No. . . In the other league. I've seen plenty of Albert with my last two teams. I've seen more of Albert than anybody."

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...102180355/