SARASOTA, Fla. — Dennys Reyes might not be a starting pitcher when the regular season begins, but he'll remain in the Reds' spring rotation for at least a little longer than manager Bob Boone anticipated.

        Reyes performed better than his pitching line against Minnesota indicated Friday night, when he allowed two runs and three hits in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out the side in the first inning, stranded three runners in scoring position and induced a double-play grounder.

        According to Boone's spring blueprint, Reyes will gain command of his pitches by working as a starter, since he'll throw more innings. That will enable him to be more effective as a reliever come April.

        Except that Boone isn't sure exactly when he'll switch Reyes back to relieving.

        “I'm inclined to keep Reyes in that role as long as I can because I think his stuff is just so special,” Boone said. The decision to return Reyes to the bullpen “probably will be pretty late” in the exhibition season,” Boone said.

Scott Williamson. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        GOOD START: Known for his velocity, Scott Williamson concentrated on variety in his three-inning stint Saturday against Pittsburgh.

        Asked by pitching coach Don Gullett to try to throw strikes with each pitch in his arsenal, Williamson fulfilled that request while yielding two runs and five hits. Though Williamson succeeded with his fastball, slider and split-fingered fastball, he was especially pleased with his change-up. “They hit it, but they hit it in the air,” he said.

        Williamson downplayed Jason Kendall's two doubles, pointing out he'll pitch Pittsburgh's All-Star catcher much differently in meaningful games. “He'll never get a 1-0 fastball in the regular season,” said Williamson, referring to the pitch Kendall hit to drive in a third-inning run.

        Williamson also opened Cincinnati's scoring with a two-run single off the first baseman Reggie Jefferson's glove in the second inning.

        FREON DEION: Manager Bob Boone spent extra time working with struggling outfielder Deion Sanders on his swing. Sanders went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Friday against Minnesota.

        “He's trying to make it happen instead of letting it happen, which is pretty typical for a lot of guys,” Boone said.

        HOWINGTON'S SURGERY: Left-hander Ty Howington, the organization's No.1 draft choice in 1999, will undergo arthroscopic surgery in Cincinnati on Monday to remove loose pieces of bone in his elbow.

        Team physician Dr. Tim Kremchek said Howington, who was 5-15 with a 5.27 ERA last year for Single-A Dayton, should be throwing on flat ground within 10 days and could begin the season by mid-April.

        In other injury-related developments, a MRI examination showed that mild tendinitis has caused infielder Juan Castro's sore left shoulder.

        ETC.: Boone said third baseman Aaron Boone, who's continuing to regain his form after undergoing knee surgery last August, “probably” will be the designated hitter today against Texas.

Larkin, Reese spell double-trouble DAUGHERTY: LaRue learns 'art' from Michelangelo Reyes' starts suit Boone Game report: Reds 7, Pirates 5 Five Questions With: Randy Marsh

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