Reds general manager Jim Bowden worked the phones for pitching Thursday as his team enjoyed its first day off this season.

        Bowden has deployed his scouts in trading-deadline mode, sending them out to focus on major-league pitchers. Usually, Bowden doesn't unleash his scouts on a full-court press into big-league parks until June.

        “We know we have a very special team,” Bowden said, “and we know we can compete with anybody if we can pitch. We'll continue to have dialogue with teams and do what we can to get pitching.”

        Bowden sees the Reds have built a 4-5 record even though the quartet of Ken Griffey Jr., Dante Bichette, Dmitri Young and Aaron Boone is hitting .197, and Sean Casey has yet to play. That gives him hope an arm or two can get the Reds over the hump.

        But don't look for Yankees right-hander Ramiro Mendo za any time soon. Not after New York's Andy Pettitte went on the disabled list Thursday with a strained back muscle. Mendoza will draw his first start Saturday against Kansas City.

        Plus, there appears to have been no substantive talks between the clubs since spring training, and Bowden sounded as if he won't put any of his top young prospects in a deal.

        “We're looking for pitching, and the Yankees know they need pitching,” Bowden said. “It doesn't seem to be a fit. We're trying to acquire pitching, but we're not going to mortgage our future.”

        Any deal the Reds make is likely to involve an outfielder, because Bowden has said on several occasions the Reds need Deion Sanders' speed on the roster. Sanders, who is playing in Triple-A, may be ready to join the Reds within a month.

        Chris Haft contributed to this report.

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