SARASOTA, Fla. 

SARASOTA, Fla. 

Although he admits he isn't a natural No. 

--RHP Homer Bailey, a candidate for the No. 

The Reds did little in the offseason other than minor tinkering, adding C Ramon Hernandez and LHP Arthur Rhodes. 

Carlos Hernandez faced major league hitters for the first time in three years Wednesday when he pitched the first two innings of the Tampa Bay Rays' 7-0 loss to the visiting Cincinnati Reds at Charlotte Sports Park. 

The stellar pitching staff that might have been was long ago pushed out of the equation for the Canadian national team, leaving manager Ernie Whitt to squeeze all he can from the unsung staff that is at the World Baseball Classic. 

. 

The Reds did little in the offseason other than minor tinkering, adding C Ramon Hernandez and LHP Arthur Rhodes. 

Although he admits he isn't a natural No. 

--RHP Homer Bailey, a candidate for the No. 

SARASOTA, Fla. 

SARASOTA, Fla. 

Homer Bailey is one of three pitchers vying for the final spot in the Cincinnati Reds' rotation as they prepare to begin spring training games. 

Jose Rijo, theWashingtonNationals executive at the center of a scandal involving a top prospect who created a false identity, has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the club.