Dennys Reyes is at least a week from returning from the disabled list after a bout with soreness in his left forearm. When he does return, it may be as a starter.

        “That's something I've been playing around with in my head,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “I'd love to see if he could be a legit starter.”

        Reyes loves the idea.

        “I hope they give me a shot,” he said.

        The Reds looked at Reyes as a starter in spring training but decided to use him out of the bullpen.

        Since Reyes went on the DL May 30, the two left-handers in the bullpen — Hector Mercado and Justin Atchley — have been effective enough that Reyes isn't greatly needed.

        The starting rotation, on the other hand, is being held together with duct tape and bailing wire.

        Reyes, 24, has some of the best stuff on the Reds staff — maybe the best. He started 97 times in 112 minor league games. He has a 2.57 ERA and has only allowed 10 hits in 21 innings — the best ratio on the staff.

        The decision whether he starts or not comes down to this, Boone said: “Is it better for him to throw and then have four days off or to throw an inning every other day? I don't know the answer.”

        Reyes will throw again Sunday. He was completely pain free in a 31-pitch session on Friday.

        “It wouldn't take long to build up (to starting),” he said, “an outing or two.”

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