Reds' Belinda Diagnosed With MS

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Stan Belinda is suffering from the early stages of multiple sclerosis, but the condition is not expected to end his career, general manager Jim Bowden said Monday.

Belinda, who last month was placed on the 60-day disabled list, had been diagnosed with inflammation in his spinal cord. He underwent further diagnostic testing by Dr. John Noseworthy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which revealed the condition.

"Because it was detected in the early stages, with aggressive treatment Stan is expected to resume his baseball career in spring training 1999," Bowden said.

The 32-year-old right-hander first went on the DL June 3rd. The possibility of MS was raised, but Belinda was cleared to return after being sidelined the minimum 15 days.

Multiple sclerosis, or ms, is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system that causes the hardening of tissue in the brain or spinal cord.

The veteran right-hander, signed by the Reds as a free agent in December 1996, was 4-8 with a 3.23 ERA in 40 relief outings this season.

Belinda spent parts of five seasons in Pittsburgh and was an important cog on three division championship teams in the early 1990s. His best year was in 1992, when he posted a 6-4 record with 18 saves and a career-best 3.15 ERA.

Belinda appeared in 84 games for the Reds last season, posting a 1-5 record and 3.71 ERA.

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