Manager Bob Boone said he was leaning toward bringing right-hander Rob Bell back on three days' rest, one fewer than usual, to start Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

        “I'm sure he's strong enough to do it,” Boone said of Bell, 24. “And his command may be better that way.”

        Friday's rainout and Saturday's doubleheader temporarily disrupted Cincinnati's five-man, five-day rotation.

        Boone said his other options included giving left-hander Dennys Reyes a spot start or recalling a pitcher from Triple-A Louisville.

        Boone said this would be the “perfect time” to start Reyes, given the reliever's recent effectiveness and Arizona's left-handed hitters.

        But Bell impressed Boone with his performance in Saturday's first game, when he yielded two runs and six hits in eight innings.

        Bell threw 100 pitches against Houston, but pointed out that he didn't throw too many offspeed pitches, which place more strain upon a pitcher's arm.

        “I'm looking forward to (coming back Wednesday) if it's a serious possibility,” said Bell, who said he has never pitched on short rest, even in the minors.

        Boone said he would announce his decision today, since Bell will need to plan how he approaches his between-starts throwing session. ETC.: The Reds issued 143 media credentials to ESPN, which televised its first Sunday night game from Cincinnati since Atlanta posted a 6-2 victory in Cincinnati on June 2, 1996.

        UP NEXT: Chris Reitsma (2-2), coming off an excellent eight-inning, one-run outing in Randy Johnson's 20-strikeout game last Tuesday, will pitch tonight's series finale against Wade Miller (5-1), who's establishing himself as one of the National League's best young right-handers.

Astros 4, Reds 3 Griffey out another 3-4 weeks Bell may get early bell Boone playing cautious with Larkin Reds box, runs

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