Taylor

        TAMPA, Fla. — Reggie Taylor was so new to the Reds that he still carried his belongings in a Philadelphia Phillies bag Thursday, but he clearly knows which team he's playing for.

        After replacing Juan Encarnacion in the fifth inning of Thursday night's Reds game against the New York Yankees, Taylor had two singles and a walk in four plate appearances, stole a base and scored twice as the Reds cruised 16-4.

        Taylor was traded to the Reds Thursday for a player to be named later, and the 25-year-old got in a practice with his new team before his successful night at Legends Field.

        Acquiring Taylor, an outfielder, quickly changed the backup situation for the Reds. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated for assignment infielder/outfielder Robin Jennings, who backed up Sean Casey at first base. Manager Bob Boone said Adam Dunn and Juan Castro now will back up Casey. Boone also said Taylor, who hits left-handed, is an early candidate for pinch hitter.

        Taylor spent most of 2001 at Triple-A Scranton. He batted .263 with seven home runs and 50 RBI in 111 games. He also finished second in the International League with nine triples and was fourth in the league in stolen bases (31).

        Taylor has had two brief stints with the Phillies in the big leagues. He played in nine games in 2000 and five last season.

        Before Thursday's game, he was batting .356 with one home run, three RBI and three stolen bases.

        “He's a guy that can make some things happen,” Boone said. “If somebody goes down, we can put in a real quality outfielder.”

        Taylor can play every outfield position.

        “I knew I was going to get traded when I started playing those positions a week ago,” Taylor said. “I hadn't played left field in (awhile). And then, I went to right. And then back to left. So I prepared myself.”

        Last season, Jennings played in 27 games for the Reds, hitting .286 with three home runs and 14 RBI.

        Jennings, 29, was batting .167 this spring.

Reds lineup set for homers, not stolen bases Taylor shores up Reds' reserves DAUGHERTY: Root, root, root for a lockout Backup players must be ready, Boone says Game report: Reds 16, Yankees 4

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