HOUSTON - Dennys Reyes took another step toward possible activation from the disabled list next week by increasing the force of his throwing in a pregame bullpen session.

        Reyes, who threw at 50 percent of his usual velocity Tuesday, beefed that up to 75 percent Thursday. Depending on how the left-hander feels today, he'll throw at close to full force Saturday or Sunday — as if he were warming up for a relief appearance — before proceeding to a simulated game in St. Louis, probably Tuesday.

        Pitching coach Don Gullett was upbeat after Reyes' 35-pitch workout. “He threw free and easy,” said Gullett, reporting that Reyes mixed in some sliders, curveballs and changeups.

        Said Reyes jokingly, “I threw a no-hitter — and a wild pitch.”

        YOUNG OUT AGAIN: Left fielder Dmitri Young missed his second start in a row with a sore left knee. Boone decided to rest Young before checking on his condition, figuring the additional time off would help the switch-hitter.

        Said Young, who hurt himself Tuesday while pursuing Devon White's eighth-inning, three-run double, “That's cool with me.”

        Young, who was available to pinch-hit, wasn't so forgiving about the protective padding his knee struck. “That padding has nothing in it,” he said.

        AMMON-ITION: Jim Thrift, the Reds' coordinator of research and development who also scouts and serves as a part-time coach, delivered encouraging reports on Cary Ammons, the Single-A left-hander acquired from Kansas City for utilityman Donnie Sadler.

        Last weekend, Thrift watched Ammons defeat Colorado's Single-A Salem affiliate, which is managed by former Red Dave Collins. Thrift said Ammons throws his fastball about 88 mph, which isn't overpowering. But Ammons apparently compensates in other ways.

        “He has a nice, clean delivery, hides the ball well and has solid arm action on his changeup,” Thrift said. Citing a familiar baseball cliche, Thrift added, “He's a works fast-changes speeds-throws strikes kind of guy.”

        UP NEXT: Elmer Dessens (5-4), who has lost his last two starts, will oppose Houston's Scott Elarton (4-7) as the series continues tonight. Elarton owns a 3-1 lifetime record against the Reds.

Reds 8, Astros 7 Sullivan has irregular heartbeat Bagwell '0' for Sullivan Reyes may return next week Reds box, runs

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