DUNEDIN, Fla. — Steve Parris saw no irony in the fact the Reds keep saying they need pitching — yet they got rid of him after he won 23 games over the last two seasons.

        “I think cheap starting pitching is what they need,” said Parris, who was traded to Toronto on Nov.22 for left-hander Clayton Andrews and right-hander Leo Estrella. “They need young guys they don't have to pay a whole lot of money.”

        Parris quickly added he understood why the Reds jettisoned him and Ron Villone, knowing their salaries would soar to about $3 million apiece this year.

        “You can't get rid of (Sean) Casey or Dmitri or Gravy (Danny Graves),” Parris said. “That's the core of the team going into the new stadium. So obviously, the place that's going to suffer is the starting pitching.”

        Parris noted that “suffer” could be an inappropriate word, because the Reds won 96 games two years ago with a staff that was regarded as lightly as this one. “You never know what's going to happen,” he said.

        Parris said his Reds memories are bereft of bitterness, especially because he was able to maintain success with the Reds after four other organizations cast him aside.

        “I had a great time with the Reds. The guys over there are unbelievable,” Parris said. “The fans are good. The team gave me an opportunity to get established, and I was able to do that. I have no ill feelings whatsoever. (General manager) Jim (Bowden) did what he had to do, and you have to respect a professional decision.”

        RAINED OUT: Reds pitcher Osvaldo Fernandez, who hadn't allowed a run in 10 spring innings, gave up a homer to Toronto's Darrin Flether in the second inning Tuesday. But it doesn't count because rain halted the game after the second inning.

        INJURY UPDATE: Told ESPN reported shortstop Barry Larkin might miss Opening Day with his sore right groin, Boone snickered and said: “We can probably call them. They'll get us somebody.”

        Yes, Larkin might miss Opening Day. So could any other player if he steps in a hole or gets abducted by aliens. Barring such events, Larkin is due to be re-examined this weekend and is likely to resume playing shortly afterward.

        Lynn said left fielder Young (bruised right shoulder) has improved significantly and could play by Thursday or Friday. Utility player Donnie Sadler (strained right hip flexor), who hasn't played since March 6, might be available today.

        Williamson, who suffered tightness in his right forearm after pitching two innings Sunday, threw on the side Tuesday and will make his next scheduled start Thursday against Texas.

        FUTURE STAR: Ranier Olmedo. Remember the name.

        Tuesday's rainout prevented Olmedo, a shortstop the Reds borrowed from minor-league camp, from playing some big-league exhibition innings. But first-base coach Bill Doran, Cincinnati's former minor-league director who often watched Olmedo play last year at Single-A Dayton, virtually guaranteed heroics from the 19-year-old.

        “On a nightly basis, he was simply spectacular,” Doran said. “With all the prospects we had, he was worth the price of admission all by himself.”

        The emergence of Olmedo, who hit .255 and earned Midwest League All-Star honors, enabled Cincinnati to trade Wilmy Caceres, another shortstop prospect, to Anaheim for Etherton at December's winter meetings.

        Olmedo, who speaks limited English, acknowledged the No.13 he wore was a tribute to his Venezuelan forebears at shortstop — Luis Aparicio, Ozzie Guillen and former Reds great Dave Concepcion.

        But Cleveland's Omar Vizquel is Olmedo's true hero. “My brother,” Olmedo called him.

        Said Doran, “He (Olmedo) told me one time, If Omar Vizquel takes 100 ground balls, I take 110.”

'Prime Time' no sideshow Boone likes pitchers by the dozen Parris: No hard feelings

Bengals in negotitations with Verba
Frerotte ends up back in Denver
West, Murphy centers of attention
Xavier scouting report
UC confident in close games
UC scouting report
Online pool and college hoops coverage at Cincinnati.com
Klonne forced out at Moeller
Miami to play Michigan, Iowa
UC's Logan, XU's West get All-America mention
Miami's Ensminger honored
Boys basketball coverage
Girls basketball coverage
Purcell Marian regional preview
Roger Bacon regional preview
Eastern Brown unbeaten, determined
McNicholas not scared by defending champ
Girls All-Ohio Division II team
Girls All-Ohio Division III team
Highlands upsets Boone Co. for region title
Schwegman rallies Brossart to Sweet Sixteen
Upsets makes for intriguing Sweet Sixteen
Campbell County Sweet Sixteen preview
Highlands Sweet Sixteen preview
Cincinnati boys basketball schedule
Cincinnati girls basketball schedule
Kentucky boys Sweet 16 schedule
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio boys regional pairings
Ohio girls state tournament

• Return to Reds front page...