By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CHICAGO - Juan Castro is not your prototypical corner infielder. "First base is for big guys," Castro said.

Castro is listed as 5 feet 11, 195 pounds. But he'll be called on to play third base and first base, as well as the middle infield positions.

"I told him to concentrate on third," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "But we may use him at first with a double switch or when we run for (Sean) Casey."

Castro was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Monday after Barry Larkin was placed on the disabled list. Castro entered Tuesday's 11-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs in the sixth and played second base - one of his natural positions. He singled in his one at-bat.

Castro has played two games at first base in the major leagues. He spent the majority of his time at shortstop (232 games). He also has played 138 games at second, 72 at third and one in the outfield.

"I think we'll see him more at the corners," Boone said.

Boone prefers playing Castro at third, rather than moving Aaron Boone from second to third and playing Castro at second.

"I don't want to mess with Aaron right now," Bob Boone said.

Given Castro's hands and range, Boone thinks he'll be fine at first or third base.

"I'm comfortable he can do it," Boone said. "A major-league-caliber shortstop can field groundballs and catch throws. I played about 20 games there in my career, so I know anybody can do it."

Castro, who was at Louisville on a rehab assignment (he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Oct. 1), said he started coming around in the last week.

"The first week was bad," he said. "But I was playing every day, getting playing time. I'm feeling good now. I'm comfortable."

Castro, 30, hit .220 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 82 at-bats for the Reds last year.

"He'll be the utilityman," Boone said, "which is what he's always been."

FINE WINE: Reggie Taylor bought Boone and third-base coach Tim Foli each a bottle of Merlot.

Taylor wasn't feeling generous. He was feeling guilty. Taylor missed a suicide squeeze sign in the sixth inning of Monday's 11-3 Reds victory over the Cubs. Taylor flung the bat at the ball and missed. Adam Dunn was out by 15 feet at the plate.

"The thing about fines is they relieve a player's guilt," Boone said, "so I'll accept it."

HARNISCH SCRATCHED: Pete Harnisch was unable to make his start for Triple-A Louisville at Charlotte on Tuesday. He was ill with a virus and was sick enough that he might not be able to pitch for three or four days.

RIEDLING ROLLING: John Riedling felt fine Tuesday after going three innings Monday for his first save in two years.

Riedling came in with the Reds up 9-3. "With that kind of lead, you can work on different things," he said. "But the big thing is not to walk anyone. If you walk anybody, you can end up giving up a big home run."

The 27-year-old right-hander has been solid after a rough start. In his last three appearances, Riedling has gone 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits, for a 1.69 ERA. He has walked two and struck out five. After his first four outings, his ERA was 12.00.

"The last three outings have been positive," Riedling said. "I've been throwing like I did in the past. The first couple of outings, I was trying to do too much."

MANZIE STRUGGLES: Josias Manzanillo, the Reds' best pitcher in spring training, continues to struggle. Manzanillo pitched two innings in the 11-1 loss Tuesday. He gave up home runs to Heep Seop Choi and Mark Bellhorn. Manzanillo, a 35-year-old right-hander, has allowed at least a run in five of his seven appearances.

UP NEXT: The Reds take on the Cubs in the third game of the four-game series at 2:20 p.m. today. Right-hander Paul Wilson (0-0, 1.42 ERA) faces right-hander Carlos Zambrano (1-1, 3.24).