DENVER — The Reds knew when they signed right-hander Matt Skrmetta to a minor-league contract Nov.30 he could throw hard. They weren't sure about his control.

        But Skrmetta showed enough finesse to get the call to become Cincinnati's 12th pitcher in time for this weekend's series at Coors Field, where the Rockies tend to score in bushels.

        “What was impressive this spring was that he showed us some command, and then he went to Louisville and showed command down there,” Reds manager Bob Boone said of Skrmetta, who was 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA. He had three walks and 11 strikeouts in eight innings, spanning seven appearances.

        Skrmetta said he has pitched once in the last 10 or 11 days, having been hampered by a sore left big toe that was caused by wearing oversized shoes in spring training. “Every time I threw, my toe was banging into my shoe,” he said. A trainer removed Skrmetta's toenail a couple of days ago, relieving the pain.

        Skrmetta, 28, split time between Triple-A and the majors last year with Montreal and Pittsburgh, posting a 2-2 record with a 11.66 ERA in the bigs.

        ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Look who has a 3-0 record with a 1.25 ERA as a member of the Baltimore Orioles' starting rotation: Willis Roberts, who was in the Reds' minor-league system last year.

        In fairness to Cincinnati, Roberts didn't always show that kind of form. Last year, he was 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA at Double-A Chattanooga but only 7-8 with a 5.66 ERA for Triple-A Louisville.

        “He has a great arm,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “He left us as a six-year free agent. We tried to re-sign him in the offseason and we couldn't because he saw a better opportunity (with Baltimore). You don't know which ones are going to put it together. You stockpile as many as you can.”

        ETC.: Reds bullpen coach Tom Hume was excused for a day to attend the graduation of his daughter, Nikki, from Florida State University.

        • Also absent was umpire Randy Marsh of Edgewood, Ky., who was supposed to be in Friday night's crew but left for personal reasons. He was due to be replaced by Chris Guccione.

        UP NEXT: Elmer Dessens (1-1) will face ex-Red Ron Villone (0-1) as the series continues today.

Reds 12, Rockies 9 SULLIVAN: Right time for Prime Time Bowden: Reese won't be traded Larkin blames injury for errors Skrmetta earned promotion Reds box, runs

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