CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Reds placed utility infielder Juan Castro on the 15-day disabled list Friday and recalled shortstop Gookie Dawkins from Triple-A Louisville.

        The Reds had optioned Dawkins to the minors because they were convinced Larkin had recovered sufficiently from surgery last year to play every day.

        Castro was supposed to be Larkin's backup, allowing Dawkins to play every day in Louisville. But Castro strained his left hamstring and had to go on the DL. The move is retroactive to March 28, the day after Castro's last appearance in a spring training game.

        Larkin didn't play for nine days this spring because of irritation in an area where he had a hernia repaired last year, but has returned to the starting lineup.

        Castro said at first he didn't think he needed to be disabled, but the hamstring hurt when he tried to jog on Friday.

        “If I tried to play, I could make it worse,” Castro said. “I didn't want to go on the disabled list. I thought it would be OK by opening day, but I could be out longer if I made it worse.”

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