Jones played for Baker one year with the Chicago Cubs, so Baker knows him, knows what he can do.

Can do and do are different.

And before folks remind everybody that Corey Patterson played for Baker and made the Reds last season, Patterson did hit .298 during spring training and earned the spot.

Jones hasn't earned anything.

"I've seen Jacque and I know he can play," Baker said. "He has to get his confidence back through performance.

"For whatever reason you lose your stroke," Baker added. "He still has to show something. I don't see much difference from when I had him before, but we're lookin' and searchin'.

"I know he still has desire and wants to play. He can play all the outfield positions, he can run and he's not old. He didn't get fat," Baker said.

But he does need to fatten his batting average.

The rotation lineup

Edinson Volquez pitched Friday night, March 13, and Johnny Cueto will pitch Sunday after their return from the World Baseball Classic.

"We're trying to get them on the same rotation they'll be in for the season," Baker said. "Right now we have Cueto fourth behind Bronson Arroyo."

That means the rotation is Aaron Harang, Volquez, Arroyo, Cueto and either Micah Owings, Homer Bailey or Nick Masset.

Can't go home

Volquez agrees with Thomas Wolfe's, "You Can't Go Home Again." Not right now.

Volquez doesn't want to return to the Dominican Republic any time soon after the team was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic with two defeats to the Netherlands.

Asked how he felt, Volquez said, "Not too good. I can't go home for a while." But as he pointed out, "We pitched good, we just didn't get any hits. You don't hit, you don't win. I thought I pitched good."

Volquez started the first game against the Dutch and gave up three runs, but none was earned, two hits, walked two and struck out three in three innings.

Cueto pitched Sunday against Panama and was top dog - 4 2 / 3 innings, no runs, three hits, one walk, five strikeouts.

Said Volquez, "The best thing about being on the Dominican team was being around Pedro Martinez. That was great. He didn't say much to us, didn't teach us anything about pitching, but you learn just by watching him."

Quote of the day

"I spent the off day (Thursday) fishing and sitting on the Siesta Key beach and thought, 'Damn, this beach is nice, and it has nice fishing.' I had no clue how nice Sarasota is - nothing against Arizona - but this place is really, really nice." - Baker, on the Reds leaving Sarasota after this year for spring training in Arizona.