By John Fay and Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pete Harnisch's first session against hitters had everyone pleased except Pete Harnisch.

"Pete's a perfectionist," pitching coach Don Gullett said. "So he had a few choice words."

The choice words came after pitches didn't go exactly where Harnisch wanted them to.

"It went all right," Harnisch said. "My command could have been better. But all in all, it went pretty well."

Harnisch, a 36-year-old right-hander, is trying to come back from ligament reconstruction surgery on his elbow in April. All indications are he'll be ready for the season.

"He looked like he's looked all spring: real good," Reds manager Bob Boone said after Saturday's session.

Harnisch is pain-free, allowing him to get extension and finish on pitches.

"The last time I caught him he was giving it all he had to get it over the plate," catcher Kelly Stinnett said. "(Saturday), he was free and easy."

The Reds are being cautious with Harnisch. He won't pitch in another game for at least two weeks.

Harnisch will throw a bullpen session Monday, then throw to hitters again Wednesday or Thursday.

NEW FACE: Carlos Almanzar has been switched from the minor-league camp to the big-league camp. The 29-year-old right-hander was 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA in eight games for the Reds last season before breaking a finger.

Almanzar had elbow problems during rehabilitation and had surgery to remove bone chips.

"I feel good," he said. "I've got my velocity back."

In Almanzar's case, that's 96 mph.

WILSON UPDATE: Paul Wilson says the strained muscle in his back feels much better. "I'll take a few days and try to get it calmed down," he said.

Wilson, the projected No. 4 starter, was scratched from his start Saturday because of the muscle strain.

FILLING IN: Right-hander Chris Reitsma started Saturday's game in place of Wilson, allowing two runs on two hits in two innings.

"For the most part, I felt fine physically," said Reitsma, who threw 17 of his 30 pitches for strikes.

ON THE DOTTED LINE: John Riedling, Seth Etherton, Brandon Larson and Corky Miller signed Saturday.