DENVER - Wily Mo Pena's contract is structured in such a way that he must be on the Reds' 25-man roster next year or he becomes a free agent. But will he be ready?

        As a 20-year-old outfielder at Double-A Chattanooga, Pena is hitting .249 with 101 strikeouts and only 27 walks this year, so won't major-league pitchers abuse him next year?

        “Probably,” Boone said. “But his talent is so superior that you hope one day it just clicks, and he says, "Oops, I don't have to chase pitches.”'

        ROTATION: Boone remains undecided on who will pitch the first two games of the series against the San Diego Padres when the Reds return home Friday.

        It's going to be knuckleballer Jared Fernandez and right-hander Ryan Dempster. The question is the order.

        “My guy right no w is Dempster on Friday, Fernandez on Saturday,” Boone said.

        LARSON FOR LARKIN: Brandon Larson started at third base, Aaron Boone moved to shortstop, and Barry Larkin was out of the Reds' lineup Wednesday.

        Larson probably will start in left field today with left-hander Mike Hampton starting for the Rockies.

        FARM REPORT: First baseman Tom Nevers had quite a night in Chattanooga's 8-7, 18-inning victory over Huntsville on Tuesday.

        Nevers, a 30-year-old veteran, went 3-for-8 with a two-run homer. He also picked up the victory by pitching the final five innings. He allowed two runs and three hits, struck out three and walked three.

        “(Special assistant) Al Goldis said on the report that he looked better than our pitchers,” Boone said. “His fastball was good. He was sinking it, working both sides of the plate.”

        UP NEXT: The Reds wrap up their three-game series in Colorado with a 3:05 p.m. game today. Reds right-hander Jimmy Haynes (12-6, 4.21) faces Hampton (5-13, 6.78).

Rockies 7, Reds 2 Reds Box, Runs Baseball players OK steroid tests Astros pass Reds, 1 behind Cards Cardinals lose 7th straight Diamondbacks 6, Braves 3 Dodgers 4, Pirates 0 Giants 4, Cubs 3 Padres 5, Phillies 2 White Sox 7, Angels 6 Dunn passes 100 walks Taylor gets help from Dick Allen Helton responds to slight with slam Reds Notebook: Majors won't wait for Pena Request for Rose was made, rejected Louisville 8, Columbus 4

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