SARASOTA, Fla. — Austin Kearns, who had a shot at the Reds' right fielder's job, will start the year in Double-A Chattanooga, not Triple-A Louisville. Kearns hit only .111 in nine games with the Reds this spring before being sent to minor league camp in the second round of cuts.

        Kearns left the Ed Smith Stadium complex after he got the news and couldn't be reached for comment.

        “He was upset,” said director of player development Tim Naehring. “But Double-A is a good spot for him. He'll be challenged there. That was explained to him.”

        The Reds, like all clubs, do not hesitate to bring players straight from Double-A to the big leagues.

        “You know how (Reds general manager) Jim (Bowden) is,” Naehring said. “If there's a trade for an arm, he won't hesitate to make it and bring Austin to the big leagues.”

        Kearns played 59 games for Chattanooga last year. He hit .268 with six homers and 36 RBI. He was troubled by a torn ligament in his right thumb most of the season.

        The decision to send Kearns to Chattanooga likely means that Ruben Mateo will start the year at Triple-A Louisville. Juan Encarnacion has seized the right fielder's job in the last few days, and the Reds would like for Mateo to playevery day.

        Wily Mo Pena, the fourth competitor for the right field job, will play alongside Kearns at Chattanooga.

        “We talked to Austin about that. Wily Mo is a young kid,” Naehring said. “He may need Austin to pull him along.”

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