General manager Jim Bowden said he has maintained his efforts to sign the Reds' emerging young players to long-term deals, a quest that has continued since last year.

        Bowden said Wednesday he made multiyear proposals April 16 to first baseman Sean Casey, reliever Danny Graves, second baseman Pokey Reese and outfielder Dmitri Young. Bowden added that third baseman Aaron Boone received a similar offer in spring training.

        “They were deals of three to five years each,” Bowden said. “We'll continue to negotiate with them.”

        Struggling with their low- to middle-revenue status in the major-league hierarchy, the Reds have hoped to control costs by signing players to multiyear deals that are potentially short in market value but long on security.

        Reese, for example, was believed to have been offered a deal similar to the $5.75million a year Cleveland recently gave shortstop Omar Vizquel for 2003-04.

        “Yes, they've contacted us; yes, we've talked to them,” said Reese's agent, Mike Nicotera. “Beyond that, I'd rather not characterize talks.”

        BROTHERS IN ARMS: Right-hander Scott Williamson is on the disabled list, but he'll never be far removed from Dennys Reyes.

        Reyes has inscribed “We'll wait for you,” along with Williamson's jersey No.48, on the underside of the bill of his cap. Reyes' glove is inscribed, “"Feo' Willi 48.”

        “Feo” means “ugly” in Spanish. That's just male macho kidding, of course.

        “He's my best friend on the team,” Reyes said. “I pray for him to come back healthy.”

        Of Reyes' gestures, Williamson said: “That was real touching. It shows there are people out there who really care.”

        Williamson, who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery April 12, visited the Reds clubhouse and gleefully reported that the large brace on his right arm will be removed a week from today.

        “I told Gully (pitching coach Don Gullett) I'm going to throw a bullpen (on the side) in a couple of weeks. He started laughing at me,” Williamson said.

        Williamson said he should be able to resume throwing in August and hopes to be fully recovered for spring training next year.

        ETC.: Casey said his bruised left foot had improved significantly, which should allow him to return to the lineup tonight. Casey took batting practice and some fielding practice before Wednesday's game and was available to pinch hit if necessary.

        • Bowden said former Reds ace Jose Rijo was still indulging his comeback dreams by throwing every five days at his home in the Dominican Republic and might work out for club officials sometime within the next two weeks. “We were told he was throwing at 88-90 mph,” Bowden said.

        UP NEXT: Chris Reitsma (2-1), who received votes in the National League Pitcher of the Month balloting, will oppose fellow rookie Luke Prokopec (2-0, 2.61) in tonight's series finale.

        Reitsma is coming off his worst performance, when he allowed eight runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Rockies at Coors Field.

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