By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Monday's game

HOUSTON - D'Angelo Jimenez comes to the Reds as the 25th man on the roster.

Not a great situation for a player once listed with Alfonso Soriano as one of the New York Yankees' top prospects.

But Jimenez is happy to be with the Reds, happy to be playing baseball, and happy to be alive - not necessarily in that order.

In 1999, Jimenez hit .327 with 15 home runs and 88 RBI for Triple-A Columbus. Baseball America named him the best defensive shortstop in Triple-A. He earned a September call-up with the Yankees. He even went 4-for-5 in one of the seven games he played.

But Jimenez's life changed drastically on Jan. 24, 2000. He was driving along a highway in his native Dominican Republic when a city bus made a U-turn and hit him head-on.

He broke his second cervical vertebra. Paralysis was a real possibility.

"I was lucky," he said. "The Yankees took care of me. They sent me to the states to have the operation."

Still, Jimenez spent six months rehabbing in Tampa.

"I had to learn to walk again," he said.

But he knew he'd return to baseball.

"If I could walk," he said, "I knew I could play again."

Jimenez was back playing by late July 2000.

He hasn't lived up to the potential he showed in 1999. In fact, the deal that sent Jimenez from the White Sox to the Reds in exchange for pitcher Scott Dunn means Jimenez has been traded three straight Julys.

The Yankees traded him to San Diego in 2001. San Diego traded him to the White Sox in 2002.

"It's getting old," Jimenez said. "Every player wants to have a home."

Jimenez is only 25.

Reds manager Bob Boone had no specific plans for him.

"I don't know what kind of fielder he is," Boone said. "I saw him in Columbus as a shortstop. He's a lot bigger now. We'll give him some starts, use him off the bench. No one is set at second base."

Juan Castro and Ray Olmedo have been sharing the spot.

Jimenez hasn't played in over a week. He was hitting .255 with seven home runs and 25 RBI for the White Sox when they designated him for assignment.

NO WAY JOSE: If there are late scratches for the All-Star Game, Jose Guillen says National League manager Dusty Baker shouldn't call him.

"No chance," he said. "I'm not changing my plans for anybody."

His plan is to go to the Dominican to see his family.

MASH REPORT: The Reds, who were down to 19 available players Sunday, were in much better shape Monday.

Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the lineup after a bout with dehydration.

Relievers Scott Sullivan, Chris Reitsma and Felix Heredia, all held out of Sunday's game, were available.

Jason LaRue is still nursing a sore left shoulder. He injured it when he was hit by a pitch a week ago, and aggravated it making a tag Friday.

"He can catch in an emergency," Boone said. "It bothers him when he hits. I'm going to give him a few more days."

WHITE, MERCKER: Gabe White will start for Louisville tonight. He'll throw one inning. He could be activated as soon as Wednesday if all goes well. He's been on the 15-day disabled list since June 25 with a pulled groin.

Kent Mercker, on the DL with a sore back, will throw a simulated game today. He's eligible to come off the DL Thursday.

"It feels good," Mercker said.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Boone has decided to go to Chicago to watch sons Aaron and Bret play in the All-Star Game.

"They probably make money off this," he said. "But it's costing dad - big time. Luckily, I bought a lot of tickets."

Boone is bringing his parents, Ray and Patsy, to the game, along with his brother Rod and his wife. With wives and Bret's two children, the Boone traveling party will be at 13.

"It'll be a quick family reunion," Bob said.

"It will be nice, especially for my grandparents," Aaron said.

UP NEXT: The Reds play the Astros in the second game of the four-game series.

Right-hander Jimmy Haynes (1-8, 5.75 ERA) faces right-hander Tim Redding (4-8, 4.07).

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com