David Weathers is a right-handed veteran presence in the Reds' bullpen. In 2005, he was the de facto closer after Danny Graves was cut loose, and he was pretty OK. In 2006, he has not been all that OK at all.

Weathers is a stocky fella with the most awkward and painful-looking delivery ever. It's hard to believe that he hasn't pulled something on every pitch.

Here's his 2005 player profile bits from Reds.com until I do this write-up properly:

• As one of the Reds' most dependable pitchers led the staff with a career-high 15 saves
• with 7 victories fell 1 shy of his career high
• became the club's closer after Danny Graves was designated for assignment on 5/23 and after that date recorded a 3.54era with all 15 of his saves
• in his last 59 apps of the season beginning 5/ 7 posted a 3.19era
• converted 15-19 save opps
• in mid-July was bothered by a strained lower back and in his first 4 apps after the All-Star break allowed 4er in 2.2ip, raising ERA from 3.57 to 4.13
• finished the season by posting a 3.64era in his last 29 apps
• after facing 3 batters on 7/19 vs Chi left the game with that back injury
• in the 5-3 win on 5/23 vs Wsh recorded his first save since 9/2/03 with the Mets vs Atl
• in the ninth inning of the 11-10 loss on 9/ 23 vs Phi allowed 5er on a 3-run HR to Chase Utley and a 2-run HR to David Bell
• allowed at least 2 homers in a game for the seventh time in his career, for the third time in relief and for the first time since 6/11/02 for NYM at WSox
• his season ERA excluding that 9/23 appearance drops to 3.40 and his second-half ERA drops to 3.16
• on 11/15 had arthroscopic surgery to repair a small tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee (Dr. Timothy Kremchek)
• on 1/16/ 06 suffered a torn extensor tendon in his right index finger
• was expected to recover in 3-4 weeks.