SARASOTA, Fla. — Jimmy Haynes signed a major-league contract Sunday. And Wednesday, he pitched like a major-leaguer.

        Haynes, who won the fifth spot in the Reds' rotation, had his best outing of the spring in the Reds' 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. He went five innings, allowing two runs on nine hits.

        Afterward, Haynes revealed he has known since Sunday that he made the club. He said he signed a one-year, $500,000 contract on that day.

        Shortly after Haynes' revelation, the Reds announced they had designated Jackson Melian for assignment and signed Haynes and Joey Hamilton to major-league contracts.

        The announcement came a day after Reds manager Bob Boone said his rotation to start the season would be Hamilton, Haynes, Elmer Dessens, Chris Reitsma and Jose Acevedo.

        Hamilton and Haynes, who had signed minor-league contracts, had to be added to the 40-man roster. The roster was at 39. Wednesday's move means the Reds have 10 days to trade, release or outright Melian.

        Melian, a 22-year-old outfielder, was obtained in the Denny Neagle deal with the New York Yankees in July 2000. He hit .237 with 16 homers and 52 RBI last year at Double-A Chattanooga.

        Haynes had struggled in his last three outings this spring, allowing 10 runs and 16 hits over 10 innings.

        He wasn't overpowering Wednesday, but he held the lead after the Reds got it for him.

        “It wasn't great,” he said. “I gave up a few more hits than I'd like.”

        “He made pitches when he had to,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. "He pitched like a veteran.”

        Haynes, a 29-year-old right-hander, was 8-17 with a 4.85 ERA last year for the Milwaukee Brewers.

        LARKIN CLEARED: Barry Larkin was cleared to play in today's game against the Baltimore Orioles. He doesn't know if he will.

        “Bob's going to tell me when,” Larkin said. “I'm ready to go, but it's up to him.”

        Larkin was examined by team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek Wednesday. Kremchek confirmed the tightness and discomfort Larkin was feeling was from the mesh used to repair his sports hernia.

        “He gave me the thumbs up,” Larkin said. “I feel much better. I'm glad it's only the mesh and not the hernia or my groin.”

        ROSTER IMPLICATIONS: Larkin's status will have a major effect on the roster decisions the Reds face over the last 10 days of spring training.

        “That's a factor in whether we have 11 or 12 pitchers on the roster,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said.

        If the Reds are concerned enough about Larkin's health, they'll carry Gookie Dawkins on the roster as a spare infielder.

        For Jose Rijo to make the team, the Reds would have to carry 12 pitchers, because Scott Williamson and Rijo cannot pitch on back-to-back days.

        Whether the Reds carry 11 or 12 pitchers, the staff will be in flux early in the year, because the Reds probably will start the year with four pitchers (Seth Etherton, Jose Silva, John Riedling and Lance Davis) on the disabled list.

        “But three of the four should be ready by the middle of April,” Bowden said.

        UNION RALLY: The Reds had their annual meeting with Donald Fehr of the Players Association before Wednesday's game. The meeting lasted nearly two hours.

        “They brought everyone up to speed,” said Aaron Boone, the team's player representative. “Most guys aren't directly involved. It was a chance for them to hear the proposals.”

        Baseball's collective bargaining agreement ran out Nov.7. The Players Association and the owners have met several times since. But the sides remain far apart.

        KEARNS UPDATE: Austin Kearns, who finished third in the four-man race for right field, is swinging the bat well in minor-league camp.

        “He's looked real good,” said director of player development Tim Naehring.

        Kearns, the top pick in the 1998 draft, was cut after hitting .111 in 18 at-bats.

        “I was a little disappointed,” Kearns said. “I would have liked to get some more at-bats.”

        Kearns wouldn't blame his right thumb for his struggles. He was limited to 65 games last year by a torn ligament.

        “Every doctor I've been to tells me the same thing: "It's going to aggravate you at times,”' he said. "It's nothing I haven't been through. It gets better.”

Reds' bats spring to life Hamilton to start opener Rijo's road to Reds runs through bullpen Reds 5, Rangers 3 Reds notebook

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