The lower third of the order produced nothing for the team in the first week of the season, with No. 8 hitter Alex Gonzalez going 0-for-12 and No. 7 hitter Ramon Hernandez hitting .067 (1-for-15), but manager Dusty Baker was not concerned. He cited the fact Gonzalez missed all of last year with a knee injury and that Hernandez is still learning National League pitching after spending his previous three years with the Orioles in the American League.
PLAYER NEWS: --LHP Bill Bray, troubled all spring by injuries, was placed on the International League DL when he came down with a strained left elbow to go with a strained shoulder and a sore hamstring he incurred during spring training. He'll spend the 10 days on the Class AAA Louisville DL getting treatment in Cincinnati.
--RHP Aaron Harang, 1-1 in two starts against the Astros last year and 8-7 against the Astros in his career, starts Saturday in Minute Maid Park. He threw a three-hit 2-0 shutout in his last start, Sunday against the Pirates.
--LF Chris Dickerson, who starts only against right-handed pitchers, has a Five-game hitting streak. Manager Dusty Baker is leaning more toward playing him against some lefthanders.
MEDICAL WATCH:
The Reds are healthy.
ROTATION:
RHP Aaron Harang
RHP Edinson Volquez
RHP Bronson Arroyo
RHP Johnny Cueto
RHP Micah Owings
BULLPEN:
RHP Francisco Cordero (closer)
RHP David Weathers
LHP Arthur Rhodes
RHP Jared Burton
RHP Mike Lincoln
LHP Daniel Ray Herrera
RHP Nick Masset
CATCHERS:
Ramon Hernandez
Ryan Hanigan
INFIELDERS:
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
SS Alex Gonzalez
3B Edwin Encarnacion
INF Paul Janish
INF Laynce Nix
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Chris Dickerson
CF Willy Taveras
RF Jay Bruce
OF/INF Jerry Hairston Jr.
OF Darnell McDonald
