By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's game

CLEVELAND - Even the Reds have a limit to what they'll accept from a starting pitcher. It's not exactly clear what that limit is, but it is obvious that Jimmy Anderson exceeded it Thursday night.

Anderson was designated for assignment Friday after giving up 11 runs on 15 hits in an 11-7 loss to St. Louis.

John Riedling was activated off the disabled list and took Anderson's spot on the roster. Riedling was in the bullpen and available to pitch in the Reds' game with the Cleveland Indians Friday night.

Riedling is the prime candidate to take Anderson's spot in the rotation when that turn comes up Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But Reds manager Bob Boone would not commit to that.

"It could be him," Boone said. "We're trying to get through Cleveland first."

Riedling, a 27-year-old right-hander, made eight starts before going to the DL because of tendinitis in his right elbow. His results were spotty - 0-3 with a 7.32 ERA - but in one start he threw 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball against Atlanta.

But the sore elbow became more of a factor and he struggled in his last two starts, giving up 11 earned runs over a total of six innings.

"I'd like to start again," Riedling said. "I don't want to leave it the way I did in my last two games. After I finally got a chance to start, I didn't want to shut it down because of my elbow. It was dumb though. I ended up hurting myself and the team."

Boone said Riedling can be an effective starter, and he thinks the 15 days on the shelf will help him.

"He's been healthy since four or five days after he went on the DL," Boone said. "That gave him a chance to work on some things."

DUNN IN: Adam Dunn looked like he had been hit by Lennox Lewis, but was in the starting lineup Friday night.

Dunn was struck by a throw from St. Louis catcher Mike Matheny while stealing third base in the second inning of Thursday's game.

Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick LeBron James, right, visits with Cinncinati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. before the Reds played the Cleveland Indians on Friday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

James takes batting practice. He also threw out the ceremonial first pitch. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

His batting helmet hit his forehead above his left eye, and it left him with a cut and a nasty shiner. Dunn's eye was about halfway open Friday, and he was trying to push the swelling away from the eye.

Was he doing that on a doctor's advice?

"No," he said. "But I've seen boxers doing it."

VISITOR: LeBron James, fresh off his No. 1 overall selection by Cleveland in Thursday's NBA draft, visited the Reds clubhouse before throwing out Friday's first pitch.

James ought to stick to hoops. He took batting practice off Reds bullpen coach Tom Hume, and swung through the first nine pitches. Hume dialed it down and James began making contact, hitting a few lazy fly balls to right.

His best shot was a 350-foot fly ball to center field.

JUNIOR DH: Ken Griffey Jr. was used as a designated hitter Friday. Griffey felt some pain in his right shoulder - the one he earlier dislocated - in Thursday's game.

Griffey felt soreness while making a throw to the plate to nail Jim Edmonds. Griffey throws left-handed, but his right shoulder hurt as he reared back to make the throw.

"He said it's fine hitting," Boone said.

FARM REPORT: Ty Howington, the Reds' No. 1 pick in 1999, allowed only one run on four hits over five innings in Single-A Potomac's 9-5 win over Myrtle Beach Thursday.

Howington has struggled this year. He's 5-6 with 4.21 ERA.