MLB Notes : Reds ban Mitchell for rest of the season

Thursday, Sept. 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Outfielder Kevin Mitchell of the Cincinnati Reds has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Reds shortly before their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and is retroactive to Tuesday.

"Following the club's three-game series in San Diego, Kevin failed to report to Pittsburgh in time for (Tuesday's) 7:05 game," General Manager Jim Bowden said in the statement.

"He did not report in time for tonight's game. Since he has not communicated his situation with me, I felt this was the most appropriate action to take."

The Reds have listed Mitchell's availablity as a day-to-day because of a viral throat infection. He reported to the park Sunday in San Diego but was sent home by Manager Ray Knight because of his illness.

Knight gave Mitchell permission to skip the team's flight Sunday night with the understanding that Mitchell would be in Pittsburgh for Tuesday's game.

"I am aware of Kevin's health situation," Bowden said. "However, he informed his agent Joe Sroba that he would be available to play Tuesday night but Kevin did not report. All players on this club have to be treated the same regardless of ability."

Mitchell, 34, lives in San Diego. He was acquired by the Reds from Boston in exchange for minor league infielder Roberto Mejia and pitcher Brad Tweedlie on July 30. In 37 games with Cincinnati, he batted .325 with six home runs and 26 RBIs.

Mitchell was on an 28-for-37 (.486) streak with 25 RBIs in his last 29 games. He was named National League player of the week for batting .500 (10-for-20) with an .800 slugging percentage from Aug. 24 to Sept. 1.

* TORRE TO RETURN: Timing has never been George Steinbrenner's forte. As his New York Yankees prepared for their biggest game of the season, Steinbrenner announced Wednesday that manager Joe Torre would be back for the 1997 season. Was he trying to divert attention away from his team, taking the pressure off for their showdown series against Baltimore? Or was he, as he's done in the past, trying to bring attention to himself? The answer probably falls somewhere in between. But whatever his intention, The Boss certainly made news Wednesday. Only a few hours before the Yankees opened their AL East showdown series with the Orioles, Steinbrenner praised Torre's performance this season. "I told Joe Torre he absolutely will return next year no matter what happens," Steinbrenner said. "Even if we blow this thing, which I don't believe we will, he will return. This should take some of the pressure off. Most of all, though, he deserves it."