Remember all that pitching depth the Reds had coming out of spring training? Their talent pool isn't so deep anymore.

        The fact that Jared Fernandez was brought up from Triple-A Louisville to start Thursday's game with Milwaukee confirms that.

        “He was probably 16th or 17th coming out of spring,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “So halfway through the season, we're down to 16 or 17. You know from the start that you're not going to get through with 12.”

        But many pitchers who were ahead of Fernandez are out of the picture.

        Brian Bohanon retired. Lance Davis was so ineffective at Double-A that he was taken off the Reds' 40-man roster. Seth Etherton (0-1, 8.22 ERA) and Brian Reith (6-7, 4.96) are struggling at Louisville.

        Top prospects Ty Howington and Ricardo Aramboles have suffered injuries. Howington, the Reds' No.1 pick in 1999, is throwing effectively after a bout with shoulder tendinitis. Aramboles is still rehabilitating his sore elbow.

        So when Luis Pineda joined Carlos Almanzar, Jose Silva and Jose Rijo on the disabled list, next in line was Fernandez.

        Fernandez was 11-5 with a 4.21 ERA and one save in 16 starts and seven relief outings for Louisville. A 30-year-old knuckleballer, Fernandez is an innings-eater — he led the Bats with 113 1/3.

        Fernandez pitched in five games for the Reds last year, including two starts, and was 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA.

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