By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HOUSTON - After thinking about it for 72 hours, Reds manager Bob Boone has come to a decision on who will play center field in Ken Griffey Jr.'s stead - sort of.
"What I'm going to do is let Reggie (Taylor) and Ruben (Mateo) split time and we'll evaluate it," Boone said.
It won't be a strict left-right platoon. Taylor, a left-handed hitter, will get the majority of the at-bats against right-handers.
"But Ruben will play against some right-handers also," Boone said.
Boone looked at two other alternatives: playing Barry Larkin in center with Felipe Lopez taking over at shortstop, or playing Austin Kearns in center with Jose Guillen in right field. Guillen, 26, was brought up from Triple-A Louisville to take Griffey's spot on the roster. Guillen is the most experienced of the Reds' extra outfielders. He has a .260 average in 2,050 major-league at-bats. Taylor and Mateo both have fewer than 550 at-bats. Neither has been an everyday player in majors. Guillen was Pittsburgh's starting right fielder for two seasons.
"I like Guillen's bat off the bench," Boone said.
The Taylor-Mateo combination will not last if the players don't produce.
"It depends on how they do," Boone said.
Neither did well in the spring. Mateo hit .182 with one home run and two RBI in 24 games. Taylor ended the spring on an 0-for-20 skid that included 13 strikeouts.
EXPECTED, UNEXPECTED: As soon as Guillen heard Griffey had suffered a serious injury, he was expecting a call from the Reds.
"When an injury like that happens, they usually make a move that day," Guillen said. "They told me if somebody got hurt I'd be up."
So when his phone didn't ring Saturday - the day Griffey dislocated his shoulder - Guillen figured the Reds had other plans.
"I thought maybe they were trying to make a trade or something," Guillen said.
The Reds mulled signing Greg Vaughn before deciding to bring up Guillen.
"I don't know what my role is," Guillen said. "But I'll do whatever they ask - I'll pinch-hit, come off the bench."
Guillen had an odd spring. He signed a non-guaranteed major-league contract with the Reds, but in a roster move, they designated him for assignment. He refused the assignment, opted for free agency, and re-signed with the Reds as a minor-league free agent.
"That's over," Guillen said. "I'm here. I'll work hard to do my job."
Guillen was hitting .333 with three RBI in four games for Louisville.
SURGERY FOR HUDSON: Right-hander Luke Hudson will undergo arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair the torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek will do the surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Hudson, who pitched briefly with the Reds last year, will miss the season.
HAYNES BETTER: Jimmy Haynes' sore back is getting better.
"There's still some tightness, but I can move a lot more," Haynes said.
Haynes is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday.
"The way I feel right now, that shouldn't be a problem," he said.
The bullpen session is not a make-or-break deal.
"We could wait up until noon Saturday before we make a call," Boone said.
Haynes is scheduled to start Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park.
NO PANIC: Boone isn't ready to do anything drastic with Brandon Larson, despite Larson's 2-for-16 start.
"I won't get alarmed until he has quite a few more at-bats," Boone said. "It's too short of a sample."
Boone said Larson's problems at the plate are a result of chasing breaking balls.
"I think that's part of being young and nervous," Boone said.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Right-hander Jeff Austin went five innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out five, in Louisville's 5-4 win over Columbus.
UP NEXT: The Reds play the second game of the three-game series here. Left-hander Jimmy Anderson (0-1, 13:50 ERA) faces right-hander Wade Miller (0-0, 13:50).
Return to Reds front page...
