BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BRADENTON, Fla. - Reds pitcher Brett Tomko is scheduled to start Thursday night in a split squad game against Minnesota in Fort Myers. It will be only Tomko's his second start of the spring because of shoulder soreness. Tomko did throw 70 pitches in a simulated game Saturday and reported no pain.

Win is the Rx:

Manager Jack McKeon has been sick the last few days, ingesting chicken soup by the quart before games to get some energy. But he has found a prescription that's even better. ''If we got out and get a win, that will help,'' he said before Sunday's game, which the Reds lost 3-1.

Injuries

Shortstop Damian Jackson hurt his knee in a play at second base Sunday, but it doesn't appear to be serious. . . . Outfielder Ozzie Timmons received five stitches in his upper lip Saturday after being hit in the face with a line drive during batting practice. He apparently was saved from losing several teeth only by his braces.

Online praise

The Reds official web site www.cincinnatireds.com was ranked No. 2 of all 30 major league baseball team sites in a recent survey by Baseball Weekly. The Reds got high marks for extensive game notes and information. The Dodgers' site was No. 1 based on the amount of information it provides.

The Unknown Man

A reporter who had recently arrived in camp asked McKeon about outfielder Midre Cummings, picked up this spring after the Phillies dumped him. ''I don't know much about him,'' the reporter said.

''Neither do we,'' McKeon responded. Cummings is hitting .047 (1-for-21) and will likely be reassigned to minor league camp this week.

Cummings said he's not worried about his hitting or the lack of room for him on the roster. ''I know I can hit. . . . I didn't expect to be here, much less to play, so I'm not upset.''

Short hops

Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, a consultant to Reds General Manager Jim Bowden, will be in camp March 23-25. . . . The Reds optioned pitcher Todd Williams to Triple-A Indianapolis Sunday and reassigned catcher Tim Marx to minor league camp.

White in bullpen feels right
Pirates 3, Reds 1
McKeon: Reds offense just looks dead
SPRING TRAINING STORIES
REDS PAGE