PITTSBURGH — Reds manager Bob Boone said he's leaning toward starting Elmer Dessens on three days' rest, one fewer than usual, in Sunday's series and road-trip finale in New York.

        The Reds are using a four-man pitching rotation because of their four scheduled off days between April 10-23. Sunday would be the only date during this period that they'd need a fifth starter. But Boone would rather bring back Dessens, who threw just 67 pitches while allowing three runs in four innings, than insert a reliever or recall a minor-league pitcher for one start.

        Boone indicated he might come closer to finalizing his decision today, after Dessens has his between-starts throwing session.

        WILLIAMSON UPDATE: As scheduled, right-hander Scott Williamson underwent “Tommy John” elbow surgery Thursday in Birmingham, Ala., to repair a complete tear of his ulnar collateral ligament.

        Dr. Tim Kremchek, the Reds' team physician, and renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews performed the reconstructive procedure, in which a tendon from Williamson's left hamstring was removed and used to help mend the elbow.

        The doctors issued no prognosis for Williamson's recovery, though Kremchek said last week that the pitcher would be sidelined from nine months to a year. Williamson will begin his rehabilitation in Cincinnati on Saturday.

        ETC.: Reliever John Riedling, who complained of soreness in his left forearm, was ordered not to pick up a baseball on Thursday. The right-hander underwent “aggressive” treatment, in the words of trainer Greg Lynn, and took anti-inflammatory medicine to ease the discomfort.

        • The Reds staged their first early batting-practice session of the season. Participants were Aaron Boone, Pokey Reese, Ken Griffey Jr. and Jason LaRue.

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