Bob Boone knows he wants 12 pitchers. But the Reds manager called up outfielder Brady Clark from Triple-A Louisville on Friday to fill the roster spot of injured pitcher Joey Hamilton. That's because Boone is living for the moment.

Reds coach Jose Cardenal is dwarfed by Mets 1B Mo Vaughn. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        “All of it is seat-of-your-pants (decision-making) — "Let's get through tonight,'” Boone said. “We're looking in three-game increments. Right now we need that extra hitter. ... We'll see all left-handers out of (the Mets') pen.”

        But the move could last for only a weekend.

        “When (Ken Griffey) Junior comes back, he'll take a position player's spot,” Boone said. “I don't know if that'll be Brady or someone else.”

        Such is the uncertainty with three players on the disabled list: Griffey, Hamilton and pitcher Gabe White. Boone said his bullpen has been relatively rested, thanks to longer outings by his starters.

        “We're fine (with 11 pitchers) right now, but if we blow out our bullpen or two starters (have short outings), then it's, "I need somebody now,'” Boone said.

        Clark, who hit .167 with the Reds in 34 games and .322 with the Bats in 20 games, understood the fragile nature of his recall.

        “The decisions are out of my control,” he said. “It was good to get a lot of at-bats down there, but I'm glad to be back up.”

        GRIFFEY WAITS: Reds medical director Tim Kremchek said Griffey was waiting for him at the ballpark Friday, asking what he could do to expedite his return.

        “He's chomping at the bit,” Kremchek said. “He's got a level of determination I have not seen in him before.”

        Griffey is expected to miss this series but Kremchek didn't rule out the chance the center fielder would be activated for the following series, against Pittsburgh.

        “We're not quite convinced he's where we want him,” Kremchek said. “It's mainly a matter of how he responds to today's workout and tomorrow's workout.”

        Griffey seemed testy when asked about his status.

        “I'd rather not (talk); it'd be the same questions,” he said.

        HAMILTON WAITS: Kremchek said he wasn't certain if Hamilton, who has a strained left hamstring, will be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the DL Tuesday.

        “It just ached him; it just wasn't right,” Kremchek said.

        Hamilton excelled in his first six starts this season, going 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA. Then he suffered a partial tear of his left hamstring May 6, and from that game forward he is 1-5 with a 7.16 ERA.

        WHITE WAITS: White is walking without a limp, which shows mild improvement in the broken toe in his right foot.

        “Today's the first day I've started to feel better,” he said. “It's frustrating (waiting for it to heal), but what can you do? I'm just happy I'm walking around halfway decent.”

        White broke the toe July 12. It's not known if he'll be ready to come off the DL July 27, when he's eligible to.

        “We have to wait and see how he responds with time,” Kremchek said.

        DOWN ON THE FARM: Chris Gruler, the Reds' first pick in the June amateur draft, allowed one run on four hits in four innings in rookie-league Billings' 7-6 loss Thursday at Provo. The right-hander is 0-0 with a 0.77 ERA in three starts (11 2/3 innings).

        STRIKE VOTE: Don't put great significance on the fact that the Reds have not voted to the players association's executive board to authorize a strike date.

        “That's something we could get together and do in a few minutes,” said Reds player rep resentative Aaron Boone.

        The Reds probably would approve.

        “If it comes to that, I think we would,” Boone said.

Mets 4, Reds 2 Reds Box, Runs Finley boosts Cardinals for pennant race Finley too rich for Reds Bobblehead day for Davis Reds Notebook: Clark's callup may be brief Giants 3, Dodgers 2 Padres 6, Diamondbacks 1 Pirates 12, Cardinals 9 Rockies 9, Brewers 5 Angels 15, Mariners 3 Athletics 10, Rangers 0

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