By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BRADENTON, Fla. - That Sean Casey was hitless in two at bats mattered little Sunday.

The Reds first baseman played without pain less than five months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum, rotator cuff and inflammation of the bursa in his left shoulder.

"He's feeling really good," manager Bob Boone said after Sunday's 8-3 win against the Pirates. "He's excited about it. He had no apprehension about it, couldn't feel it."

Casey grounded out to first base in his first at-bat and flew out to left field in his final time up.

POKEY'S VIEW: A season removed from his last game with the Reds, Pirates second baseman Pokey Reese continues to follow his former team.

And his old spot in its lineup.

Reese expressed his surprise Sunday over the decision to move Aaron Boone from third to second base this season.

"I thought that's why they had Gookie (Dawkins) and Felipe (Lopez) and Juan Castro," said Reese, who started 116 games at second for the Pirates last season.

"Aaron is one of the best third basemen in the league. Now he's got to learn a new position. I hope it works out for him, though . . . I'm sure he can do it.'

GOOD TO GO: Veteran right-hander and potential No. 5 starter Pete Harnisch reported no pain a day after throwing to hitters for the first time this spring.

"I don't feel like I'm very far off of where I would be in a normal spring training," he said.

Bob Boone said Harnisch, who had Tommy John surgery last April, will throw in the bullpen either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Harnisch may pitch one or two innings in a minor-league game before making an appearance in a major-league spring training game.

ODDS AND ENDS: Jose Rijo, 37, makes his exhibition-game debut today against the Phillies. He will relieve starter Jimmy Anderson . . . Ryan Dempster will start today's B-game against the Devil Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.