PITTSBURGH — Manager Bob Boone said for the first time that Joey Hamilton will definitely start a game when he joins the Reds.

        Boone hasn't decided when the right-hander will start.

        “We'll talk about that on the plane (to Chicago),” Boone said. “It will be Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.”

        There's a chance Boone will move everyone back a day. But every pitcher in the Reds' rotation, except Dennys Reyes, is at or near a career-high for innings pitched.

        Elmer Dessens was effective for four innings Saturday night, then rapidly lost it.

        “Elmer had great stuff; then it just flattened out,” Boone said. “We might consider backing him off.”

        Dessens has pitched 181 innings, 19 more than his previous career high and 33 more than last year.

        “I feel good,” Dessens said. “But I've never pitched 180 innings before. It's different.”

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