By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Reds manager Bob Boone isn't ready to award the few open spots on the pitching staff to anyone just yet. But he did give a clue to what will go into the decision process.

"Ties will go to left-handers," he said.

Gabe White is the only left-hander assured a spot on the Reds' roster, but Bruce Chen is auditioning as a starter, and Kent Mercker and Felix Heredia are in the bullpen mix.

Boone said the lefties will be evaluated on what they do against all hitters, although once the season begins they will face predominantly left-handed hitters.

Heredia, 27, was 1-2 with a 3.61 ERA last year with Toronto. Left-handers hit .224 off him, and his ERA after the All-Star break was 1.83.

Mercker, 35, was 3-1 with a 6.14 ERA last year with Colorado. But he was 1-0 with a 4.19 ERA before breaking his pitching had June 5, and lefties were hitting .103 off him.

Chen, 25, could be put back in the bullpen if he doesn't win the fifth starter spot. He had a 3.71 ERA in 37 relief appearances for the Reds last year.

All three pitched Tuesday in the Reds' 4-2 win over the Cleveland Indians.

Chen was dominant: two innings, one hit, four strikeouts. Heredia continued to struggle: one inning, two hits, one run. He has given up three runs in three innings of work. Mercker pitched a scoreless ninth to earn a save. He has allowed only one hit in three innings of work this spring.

DUNN SIGNS: Dunn agreed to a one-year contract with the Reds Tuesday, leaving only Chris Reitsma, Ruben Mateo and Russell Branyan unsigned. They have until March 11 to sign, or the Reds can renew their contracts.

FREEL MAN: Ryan Freel, the non-roster utility player, got his first start of the spring and responded with two hits, including a two-out bunt single to drive in the Reds' first run. But his chance of making the team is remote.

Juan Castro, who has a guaranteed contract, will be one of the backup infielders; Felipe Lopez looks as if he'll be the other. That will make it tough for Freel or Gookie Dawkins to make the team.

Freel, 27, is in his ninth year as a professional; all but nine games have been spent in the minors. But he has good speed and can play second, third, shortstop and all the outfield positions.

TRAINING ROOM: Sean Casey was back in the lineup Tuesday after scratching for Monday's game because of a fatigued shoulder. Boone said he probably will give Casey today off.

Brandon Larson, who tweaked a rib cage muscle Monday, did not make the trip to Winter Haven. He probably will be kept out for a few more days.

Kelly Stinnett, who strained a hamstring before the first game, caught the last three innings Tuesday.

Paul Wilson was able to play catch for the first time since straining a rib cage muscle.