Brian Moehler gave up four runs in the first inning of Wednesday's game, but pulled out the victory. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Before the Reds' game Wednesday, the team's posted probable starters for its series beginning tonight in New York read this way: Elmer Dessens, TBA and TBA.

        Jared Fernandez was momentarily out of the rotation, then back in. New addition Brian Moehler was in. Chris Reitsma went to the bullpen. Ryan Dempster was teetering in between. The media wanted a Joey Hamilton update. And could Bruce Chen start?

        To adapt the saying about the weather: If you don't like the Reds' rotation, wait a minute. It'll change.

        “It's all hands on deck from here on out,” Reds pitching coach Don Gullett said. “Everyone's going to be called on to pitch in and help, in whatever capacity.”

        Reds starters have fared fairly well, posting a 4.43 ERA that is ninth in the National League. That's an improvement on last year's 5.47 ERA by the starters.

        Recent trades, callups and injuries have put the rotation in flux. Twelve different pitchers have started games for the Reds. (Thirteen started games last year.)

        With the exceptions of Dessens (7-5, 2.75 ERA) and Jimmy Haynes (11-6, 4.08), every starter is seemingly on a short leash. The depth of available arms gives the Reds options.

        “I don't know if I feel like it's a luxury,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “The competition is probably the best antidote for playing poorly. It's certainly a stimulus factor, there's no question.”

        Because of off days Thursday and Monday, the Reds essentially have a four-man rotation for a week: Dessens, Fernandez (1-1, 4.58), Haynes and Moehler (1-0, 7.20).

        Dempster (0-3, 12.00 with the Reds) will make his next start, but Gullett said that probably will be next Wednesday against Los Angeles — nine days after he last pitched.

        “We'll give him a little time off, have some bullpen (practice) sessions and relax a bit from the mental aspect,” Gullett said.

        “We know he's better than he's pitched to this point. He knows he's better. It's a matter of him forgetting about all the other things, just going out and throwing the ball like he's capable of. He's going to play a major role for this ballclub.”

        Reitsma (4-8, 3.47) and Hamilton (3-6, 5.21) seem the most likely candidates to assume starting roles. Reitsma, whom the Reds plan to use in the bullpen this weekend, possesses a better ERA than every starter but Dessens. Hamilton, on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Louisville, threw six scoreless innings Wednesday in his first start for the Bats.

        As for the multitude of other options . . .

        “We won't be short any more,” Reds right-hander Jose Rijo said. “That's the good thing. I just hope we'll start working real quick (on any changes), because there's not enough time to make experiments.”

        A look at other potential starters:

        • Rijo (4-3, 4.91) has given up one run in five innings over three appearances since returning July 13 from the disabled list. The 1990 World Series MVP has the advantage of experience in pressure games.

        “I think they're going to stretch me out (possibly toward starting),” Rijo said. “I love the pressure (of a pennant race). I would like to pitch in that situation all the time.”

        • Chen (0-1, 3.60), as the only left-handed candidate, became a more viable option when the Kenny Rogers trade fell through. For now, he's pinned to the 'pen until Gabe White gets back from the DL.

        Boone said he foresees Chen as a starter, though probably not this year. But the Reds are leaving open the idea of him making spot starts against St. Louis.

        “With the Cardinals, teams that have left-handers have had more success against them,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “It's possible (Chen could start).”

        • Right-hander Jose Acevedo was rocky in six early appearances with the Reds (4-2, 7.23 ERA), but he is 7-6 with a 3.35 ERA in Louisville. He has been strong lately, including seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts in his last start.

        • Luke Hudson (5-7, 4.14 in Louisville) and Lance Davis (1-2, 5.81 in Louisville) could be call-up candidates. Davis went 8-4 with the Reds last year but struggled most of this season in Double-A.

        • Luis Pineda (1-3, 4.18) and Carlos Almanzar (0-1, 2.31) were briefly Reds starters, but both are disabled. Pineda has rotator cuff tendinitis. Almanzar broke a finger.

        • Seth Etherton, Brian Reith, Jose Silva, Jeff D'Amico and Felipe Lira could all be call-up candidates, probably when rosters expand Sept. 1. Silva, who has a 0.90 ERA in 13 relief outings with Louisville, would be intriguing as a starter if the Reds could stretch him out.

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