MILWAUKEE — Reds general manager Jim Bowden went to Triple-A Louisville Tuesday night to take a look at Brian Bohanon, Donny Leon and Carlos Almanzar.

        The fact there were no corresponding player moves Wednesday tells you Bowden didn't think any of them could help the Reds right now.

        The Reds are six days into a stretch of 17 without an off day. The starting pitchers lasted only five innings both Monday and Tuesday, so Reds manager Bob Boone would like to add a 12th pitcher.

        “I don't think it's changed from the beginning of the year,” Boone said. “We're going to win more games with the bullpen than with the bench. With both Joses (Rijo and Acevedo) going back to back, I'm worried about beating up the bullpen.”

        Bohanon, a veteran left-hander who had elbow surgery early in spring training, evidently is not ready. He went 6 2/3 innings in the start Bowden watched, allowing four runs on nine hits.

        Almanzar, a hard-throwing right-hander, threw two scoreless innings and is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and nine saves.

        Right-hander Scott MacRae, who went 0-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 24 games for the Reds last year, is eligible to be brought up. MacRae couldn't be promoted until May 15 because he was released and re-signed to a minor-league contract. He's 2-1 with a 4.56 ERA at Louisville.

        If none of those three is going to be the 12th pitcher, then who might be?

        The Reds are likely to wait for John Riedling, Jose Silva, Lance Davis or Joey Hamilton to become healthy. Silva (elbow surgery) and Davis (weak shoulder) are rehabilitating at Louisville, and Riedling (shoulder surgery) is at Double-A Chattanooga.

        Hamilton, the Opening Day starter, has been sidelined by a hamstring injury and is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list May 22.

        Leon, a 26-year-old third baseman, hit .362 with 14 home runs and 34 RBI at Chattanooga before being promoted to Louisville last week.

        The Reds considered bringing up Leon, a switch-hitter. But the night Bowden was there to see him, Leon took one of his few 0-fers this season.

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