Monday, July 27, 1998

SAN FRANCISCO -- Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said the team has four alternatives when it comes to filling Scott Winchester's spot in the rotation:

Call up Dennis Reyes from Indianapolis. Reyes, the left-hander obtained in the Jeff Shaw trade, pitched eight shutout innings in his last start at Indy. His next scheduled start is Wednesday, which is conveniently the same day Winchester, who was optioned to Indy, would have started.

Move up Steve Parris a day and see if Jason Bere, who was recently signed, is ready.

Make a reliever a starter (possibly Gabe White or Rick Krivda).

Make a trade to fill the spot.

Nothing will be decided until today.

Bere, the former White Sox pitcher, is scheduled to throw batting practice before tonight's game against the Braves.

"We'll know a lot more after he throws," Bowden said.

Pitching coach Don Gullett has been working with Bere on the road trip.

"We've spotted a few things," Gullett said.

Ideally, Bowden said, the Reds would like to keep Reyes, 21, at Triple-A for five or six more starts.

"But with our youth movement, everything is accelerated," Bowden said. "We don't always have that luxury."

As for a trade, Bowden said the Reds have four "minor" deals on the table Saturday.

"Nothing has changed since then," Bowden said.

Camp Rijo

Former Reds pitcher Jose Rijo was encouraged by his meeting with Bowden and Assistant General Manager Doc Rodgers Saturday. Rijo and Reds are trying to work out an agreement with Rijo's soon-to-be-opened baseball school in the Dominican Republic.

"We're going to meet again next week," Rijo said. "I've got to get all the paperwork. I'm excited. This will be the best thing ever for the organization."

There are 14 such schools in the Dominican Republic, but Rijo says none is as large as his will be. He is confident that a contract will be signed soon.

Said Bowden: "It's like any negotiation. Some things still have to be worked out."

Painful effort

Left fielder Willie Greene and center fielder Mike Frank collided when they dove to the same spot while trying to catch Rey Sanchez's long fly ball in the fourth inning.

Sanchez ended up with a triple, the Giants' first hit of the game, and Frank bruised ribs on his left side.

Frank stayed in the game for one more batter, but left after making a throw on Jeff Kent's sacrifice fly.

Watkins recalled

The Reds called up Pat Watkins from Indianapolis after Sunday's game.

Bowden said the move will not affect what the Reds do with Winchester's spot in the rotation. With Frank and Dmitri Young both hurting, Bowden said the Reds need outfield help.

Watkins was hitting .370 with two home runs 19 RBI since being sent to Indy June 19.

Greene in left

Greene, who has played mostly right field lately, started in left. Greene had three hits, including a three-run home run, in Saturday's game, so Reds manager Jack McKeon put him in Sunday and gave Paul Konerko (1-for-7 over the last two games) a day off.

"You got to ride a good horse," McKeon said.

Konerko ended up in left and Greene in right after Frank was hurt.

Finally, a CS

Eight straight runners had stolen on Eddie Taubensee before he threw out Barry Bonds in the fourth inning Sunday. Bonds has been thrown out seven times in 25 attempts this year.

Dmitri update

Dmitri Young was out of the lineup for a third straight game with the shoulder he sprained making a diving catch in Colorado Thursday. The target date for his return is Tuesday.

"It's much better," he said.