Closer Cordero gave up nine runs and 12 hits in his first four one-inning appearances, then pitched a scoreless inning (one hit) Saturday, March 14, against Tampa Bay.

Burton, too, struggled after pitching three perfect innings in his first three appearances. Then he gave up five runs and six hits in his next two one-inning appearances before pitching a perfect inning Saturday.

Burton is a guy who doesn't worry Baker.

"Before he went out with that weird injury in July (lat), he was one of the best relief pitchers in the league and some people were talking about him as an all-star."

In 27 appearances before going on the DL, Burton had a 0.85 ERA, then missed 39 games. After he came back his ERA was 7.48 for 11 appearances.

"Burton is very athletic and has great deception," said Baker. "You watch when he spreads out. He throws that glove at you and he looks like Rodan."

Rodan? He comes from the same Japanese movie studio (Toho) that gave us Godzilla.

Bailey & Brantley

The Reds are off today, but pitcher Homer Bailey will pitch in a minor-league intrasquad game.

Broadcaster Jeff Brantley, former Fireman of the Year for the Reds, had a 40-minute conversation recently with Bailey and was astounded.

"All the stuff we talked about was stuff he needed to learn," Brantley said. "He was willing to talk about it. That shows he's growing up and I felt as if I were talking to a 30-year-old. That's a good sign. I couldn't say that last year."

Janish stronger

Former Dragon Paul Janish is an outside choice to make the team, but Baker notices him.

"We asked him to work on his hand strength," Baker said. "He looks stronger to me. Every time I go into the weight room to work out he's in there. The more hand strength you have the better you can control the bat and the more bat speed you'll have."

Everybody knows Janish has golden hands with the glove, but he has lead hands (so far) with the bat - a career .188 major-league average and a career .261 minor-league average.

"He can pick it and I don't care where you play him," Baker said. Janish, a shortstop by vocation, played second base Sunday in Dunedin against the Blue Jays.

Quote(s) of the day

* "Most guys work out after they pitch, I don't do crap." - Bronson Arroyo after pitching four innings.

* "We have some tough decisions to make and while we can't keep everybody, but we're going to need everybody if we are going to win this thing." - Baker.