SARASOTA, Fla. — Tom Reich, Aaron Boone's agent, was back at the Reds camp Sunday and met with Reds general manager Jim Bowden.

        “We continue to have talks,” Bowden said. “It doesn't mean anything. We'll sign our young players if we can do it under our criteria.”

        Reich has a home in Sarasota. But Sunday's visit seemed to be more than just dropping by. Reich showed up with a thick folder and met in Bowden's office.

        GETTING NOTICED:

        Anthony Sanders, a 28-year-old minor-league free agent outfielder, is a long shot to the make the Reds.

        But he hasn't hurt himself by going 4-for-6 with two doubles so far. Sanders' RBI double Sunday keyed the Reds' ninth inning rally in a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox.

        “There are no locks,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “It never hurts to do good. You might not make it, but we know we've got someone down there (in minors) we can go get if we need them.”

        Sanders played in nine games for the Seattle Mariners last year.

        A RECORD?

        Danny Graves worked three perfect innings Sunday and threw only 20 pitches.

        “We're going to put that up on the board: "Danny Graves pitched three innings and threw 20 pitches,'” Boone said. “He could have gone nine (innings) today.”

        Elmer Dessens was almost as efficient in his three innings.

        “I was real pleased with Elmer,” Boone said.

        MINOR SETBACK:

        Seth Etherton had a minor setback in his rehab from shoulder surgery. He strained a muscle.

        “I shut it down for three days,” he said. “I was back tossing (Sunday). I don't expect it to keep me off the mound very long.”

        The strain was unrelated to the surgery.

        “But it's the kind of thing that happens when you come back to throwing after being out for a while,” Etherton said.

        CASTRO RETURNS:

        Juan Castro rejoined the after missing four days to attend the funeral of his grandfather in Mexico.

        RIEDLING UPDATE:

        John Riedling is up to throwing 60 pitches in his rehab program.

        “It gets better each time,” Riedling said. “I haven't had any pain or setbacks. I think there's a good possibility I'll be ready for Opening Day.”

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