SARASOTA, Fla. — A day after announcing Joey Hamilton as the Opening Day starter, the Reds lined up Elmer Dessens, Jose Acevedo, Jimmy Haynes and Chris Reitsma in the rotation behind Hamilton.

        Don't read too much into the order. Reitsma probably is pitching as well as anyone other than Hamilton.

        “We tried to look at the best matchups with the schedule,” pitching coach Don Gullett said. “There's no real science to it.”

        With five off days in April, anyone who struggles is likely to be skipped a turn or two.

        Reitsma started Thursday's 6-5 exhibition loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He went five innings, allowing two runs (both on solo homers) on four hits. He walked none and struck out two.

        “I didn't have great stuff,” Reitsma said. “I can't be mad. I got my work in and went five innings.”

        JUNIOR SCRATCHED:

        Ken Griffey Jr. was a late scratch from Thursday's game with tendinitis in his right knee. It's not thought to be serious.

        Griffey said he could have played if this were the regular season.

        “It's just from playing on different surfaces,” he said. “I bumped it a couple of days ago.”

        Reds manager Bob Boone plans to hold Griffey out a couple of days.

        LARKIN UPDATE:

        Barry Larkin missed his sixth straight game Thursday since experiencing irritation from the mesh used to repair his hernia.

        Larkin did take batting practice and groundballs before the game. Boone said he will hold Larkin out of today's game as well.

        ON THE DL:

        The Reds placed Jose Silva (elbow surgery), Lance Davis (sore shoulder) and Seth Etherton (shoulder rehab) on the 15-day disabled list. They all will be eligible to come off the list April6.

        Seth Etherton was the only one of the three with any hope of starting the season on the regular roster.

        But he still hasn't thrown to live hitters. He'll throw 60 pitches or so in the bullpen today with hitters standing in.

        John Riedling could join the other three on the DL. Riedling, who had shoulder surgery in August, will throw to live hitters today. But time is running out.

        “We've only got 10 games left,” Riedling said. “I want to be up there on the big-league level. But I can honestly say I may not be ready (for Opening Day).”

        SMART PLAY?

        Adam Dunn got picked off third after an apparent triple Thursday. Or so it appeared.

        Dunn missed second on his way to third.

        “I missed second so bad I was going to be out on appeal,” he said. “So as soon as he came set, I broke for home. Make them make a play. That's an intelligent move.”

        To which Griffey said: “You ain't that smart.”

        LaRUE STRUGGLING:

        Catcher Jason LaRue doesn't have a hit in his last 20 at-bats. He is 2-for-33 overall on the this spring. LaRue is out of options, so he is virtually assured of a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Road back leads Hamilton to Opening Day Orioles 6, Reds 5 Reds notebook Baseball notebook

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