Reds reliever Gabe White spent Thursday night in Good Samaritan Hospital because of an infection in his left (pitching) hand.

        Tuesday night, White thought the problem was an ingrown hair on his hand.

        “I told him these things can be serious, and if it got much worse to call us,” team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said. “He ended up calling (trainer) Greg Lynn about 4 in the morning. I met Gabe at the hospital at 6.”

        The hand was drained and White is being treated with intravenous antibiotics. He is expected to remain in the hospital a few days.

        “These things can be limb-threatening or even life-threatening,” Kremchek said. “If he had let it go on until (Friday) afternoon, we would have had a dangerous situation.”

        Kremchek said he wasn't sure of the nature of the infection — he suspects a spider bite — or how long White will be out.

        There's a good chance White will end up on the 15-day disabled list. If that happens, look for the Reds to bring back Luis Pineda from Triple-A Louisville.

        Pineda made his second start at Louisville on Thursday. He went five innings, allowing three runs on three hits.

        White's teammates were shocked by the news that he was in the hospital.

        “He was joking about it,” reliever Danny Graves said. “He said, "I'll see you tomorrow — if I'm not the hospital. Hah-hah.' ”

        White pitched one scoreless inning Tuesday, striking out two.

        He began feeling feverish afterward. The infection eventually spread to his arm and his hand swelled.

        “We don't think he needs an operation,” Kremchek said. “He was a lot better. He could move his fingers.”

        White, 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA, is the Reds' only left-handed reliever.

        “It means we don't have a lefty in the bullpen,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “That's not good.”

        Boone said he will spread White's duty around.

        “We'll use (pitchers with good) stuff against lefties,” Boone said. “(Scott) Williamson . . . all our guys.”

A's 5, Reds 3 Reds box, runs Reds might give Larson a look Athletics might as well move to NL Infected hand puts Reds' White in hospital Cubs 2, Cardinals 1 Castillo extends hit streak to 35 games Interleague roundup Notes from Friday's games

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