DUNEDIN, Fla. — Reds manager Bob Boone said he could “envision” beginning the season with a 12-man pitching staff, though he's likely to have the standard 11-man contingent on Opening Day.

        “Twelve is kind of a luxury we maybe can't afford,” Boone said before Tuesday's exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays was rained out. Referring to the ease of recalling a pitcher from the minors, he said, “You're always one phone call away from having 12 for the next day.”

        Boone said keeping an extra pitcher would help preserve the freshness of the relievers, considered to be Cincinnati's strength. “We want to make sure they're always well-rested,” he said.

        But that would cost them an additional position player. Boone already faces challenges in selecting his backup infielders and outfielders, which is why utility man Juan Castro and outfielders Michael Tucker and Dmitri Young have worked out extensively at first in case reserve first basemen such as Hal Morris or D.T. Cromer don't make the team.

        Boone reiterated that his season-opening rotation won't necessarily consist of Pete Harnisch, Scott Williamson, Rob Bell, Elmer Dessens and Osvaldo Fernandez, as was assumed when camp opened. Harnisch, Bell, Dessens and Fernandez appear set, but Boone said he's still wondering whether Williamson belongs in the rotation or the bullpen and whether Chris Reitsma or Jared Fernandez could sneak into the group.

        “I don't think that competition is over with, by any stretch,” Boone said. “I keep putting it off, because I can.”

        Boone didn't mention Seth Etherton among his candidates for the rotation. And for good reason.

        Trainer Greg Lynn rated Etherton's playing status as day-to-day, which bodes poorly for a pitcher who has logged just 1 2/3 innings over two appearances. Etherton, whose shoulder weakness prevented him from throwing off a mound for almost the first two weeks of spring training, has continued his daily strengthening exercises with team therapist Lonnie Soloff.

        “He has a little soreness,” Lynn said.

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