By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Someone asked Reds manager Bob Boone if Ryan Freel had done enough to get his attention."Oh yeah, he's got it," Boone said.

Ryan Freel (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

Freel, a non-roster utility player, made his second straight start for the Reds Wednesday.

He started at third base after starting at second the day before. Despite going 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 10-3 loss to Toronto Wednesday, Freel is hitting .417 with two doubles, two RBI and two steals. The one RBI came on a two-out bunt single, definitely an attention-getter.

Freel remains a long, long shot to make the club, particularly if the Reds go with 12 pitchers.

But he has greatly increased his chances of a call-up from Triple-A Louisville with his strong spring.

"If I go to Louisville, that's fine," he said. "I'd like to make it. But I'm still going to go out and play. They're paying me every two weeks. I'm going to do my thing."

Freel is Chris Sexton with better speed. Louisville manager Dave Miley recommended Freel when it looked as though Sexton, a key member of the Louisville team last year, would not re-sign with the Reds.

Freel said 11 other teams were interested as well.

Freel is 27 and in his ninth professional season. All but nine games of that time has been spent in the minors.

"You control your own destiny," he said. "I've had some shaky years. But the last few years, I've got a lot of good experience. I'd like to say I'm a late bloomer."

Freel's best year in the minors was last year, when he hit .261 with eight homers, 48 RBI and 37 steals for Triple-A Durham.

Freel is attractive to the Reds because he can play second, third, shortstop and all three outfield positions.

"I know what my role is," he said.

Freel gave a rave review to Tom Robson, the Reds' new hitting coach.

"He's helped me tremendously," Freel said. "One little session in batting practice set the tempo."

NO ALARM: Chris Reitsma's start Wednesday, in which he allowed four runs on six hits in three innings, won't be counted against him in the race for the fifth starter's job.

"We're not evaluating," Boone said. "We're letting them get their work in. He struggled with his control. He pushed some change-ups. (All the pitchers) struggled."

Reitsma is 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA.

WILSON UPDATE: Paul Wilson played catch again Wednesday, increasing the distance to 120 feet.

"He's had no pain, no problems," pitching coach Don Gullett said.

Wilson was shut down for seven to 10 days after straining a muscle near his rib cage. Wednesday was the seventh day since the injury.

HARNISCH UPDATE: Pete Harnisch will throw a second session of live batting practice today.

"It will be the same scenario," Gullett said. "If it goes smoothly, we'll have him throw another 10 to 15 pitches."

Harnisch, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery in April, threw 40 pitches in his first live BP session.

ELEVEN OR 12? Boone continues to debate whether the Reds will carry 11 or 12 pitchers. "I think the bullpen is our strength," he said. "With seven pitchers in the bullpen, you can keep them all strong."

TWO MORE SIGNED: Reitsma and Ruben Mateo agreed to one-year contracts, leaving Russell Branyan as the only unsigned player.