Cincinnati Reds Roster Report 2009-05-02

The Reds continued to have problems with the bat, hitting only .233 in their first 18 games, with three regulars hitting under .200. However, they'd found ways to win, mostly with solid starting pitching and impeccable bullpen work. Setup relievers David Weathers and Arthur Rhodes hadn't given up a run over a combined 17 appearances, and RHP Francisco Cordero was 6-for-6 in save situations through April 26.

PLAYER NEWS:

--1B Joey Votto is the only Reds player to have appeared in every inning of the first 22 games and isn't likely to rest soon. "I've always been told to ride a player when he is hot and ride him until he isn't hot any more," said manager Dusty Baker, referring to Votto's .353 average with three homers and 21 RBIs.

--RHP Micah Owings, winner of his last start, his first win for the Reds after losing his first two starts, goes after his second win Saturday against the Pirates. Owings is 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates.

--LHP Danny Ray Herrera, a surprise survivor out of spring training after he was an invitee to camp on a minor-league contract, leads the staff in appearances with nine. He has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances and owns a 2.35 ERA.

--C Ryan Hanigan plays only when RHP Bronson Arroyo pitches, which is now five games, and Arroyo is 4-1. Hanigan contributes offensively, too, and had two more hits Friday and is hitting .412.

--RHP Mike Lincoln (0-0, 15.12 ERA) continues to struggle out of the bullpen, giving up runs in five of his eight appearances, including runs given up in each of his last three appearances. Lincoln, out of baseball for three full seasons, returned last year to go 2-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 64 relief appearances.

MEDICAL WATCH:

OF Chris Dickerson (head) left the April 27 game, and he didn't play April 28-May 1. He is day-to-day but could start on May 2.

3B Edwin Encarnacion (chip fracture in left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list April 28. He might miss two to three weeks.

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 Jerry Hairston Jr.

INF Paul Janish

INF Adam Rosales

INF Laynce Nix

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Chris Dickerson

CF Willy Taveras

RF Jay Bruce

OF Darnell McDonald

Author: Fox Sports

Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com

Added: May 2, 2009