--OF Gary Sheffield, released by the Tigers this week, might get a job offer from the Reds. However, manager Dusty Baker said Sheffield would have to be willing to accept a backup role. The Phillies had also expressed an interest in Sheffield, according to multiple media reports.
--RHP Homer Bailey, battling with RHP Micah Owings for the last spot in the Cincinnati rotation, turned in a strong performance April 1. He allowed two runs in six innings against Houston, leaving his spring ERA at 2.61. Owings has a 1.52 spring ERA. --INF Jeff Keppinger, the Reds' starting shortstop for most of last season, was traded to the Astros for a player to be named or cash. For Houston, Keppinger, a right-handed hitter, will platoon at third base with switch hitter Geoff Blum. Keppinger, who batted .266 last year, had a .140 average during spring training at the time of the trade.
--RHP Josh Roenicke was optioned to Class AAA Louisville after allowing four runs in 10 innings this spring. Roenicke made his major league debut last year, posting a 9.00 ERA in five relief appearances.
--OF Jacque Jones, a non-roster camp invitee who struggled all spring, was reassigned to the Reds' minor league camp. He batted .089 (4-for-45) in Grapefruit League play.
--OF Norris Hopper, who hit .132 in Grapefruit League action, was optioned to Class AAA Louisville. Hopper played 26 games for Cincinnati last year, hitting .200.
--RHP Daryl Thompson, who had a strong season for Class AAA Louisville last year, will open the season with that club after being optioned by the Reds. The 23-year-old pitched just two big-league innings in spring training, and he didn't allow a run.
--OF Jonny Gomes appears to have an extra outfield spot clinched after leading the team in homers (four) and RBIs (12) through March 27. Gomes could platoon in left field and play some first base.
--LHP Daniel Ray Herrera, all 5-foot-6 of him, is pushing hard to grab a spot by not giving up a run this spring in five appearances. LHP Bill Bray came to camp as part of the bullpen, but he first came up with a sore shoulder, then a sore hamstring, so he was lagging behind.
--INF/OF Adam Rosales, known in some quarters as Pete Rosales because, like Pete Rose, he sprints to first on a walk and sprints around the bases on a home run, probably won't make the team. But he has shown enough that he could be a first call-up if the Reds need an infielder, first baseman or left fielder.
--RHP Edinson Volquez had not given up a run in his 14 innings this spring and would be a candidate to start Opening Day after winning 17 games. But manager Dusty Baker doesn't want to destroy the confidence of 17-game loser RHP Aaron Harang, who has started two consecutive Opening Days after winning 16 in both 2006 and 2007.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0.00 -- ERA for RHP Edinson Volquez (14 innings) and LHP Daniel Ray Herrera (6 1/3 innings) this spring through March 27.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I know we only have a week to go, and we still have 36 players in camp, but we have some really tough decisions to make and have to be very careful." -- Manager Dusty Baker.
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