By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Tuesday's game

LOS ANGELES - After being traded twice in one year, Joe Valentine is finally in the major leagues.

Valentine, 23, one of six pitchers acquired by the Reds in last week's wheeling and dealing, takes Jimmy Haynes' spot on the roster. Not surprisingly, he's pretty excited.

Haynes on Monday was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bulging disk.

"This is a dream-come-true day," Valentine said, shortly after arriving at Dodger Stadium with his Oakland A's bag in tow.

Valentine, a right-hander, was property of the A's until Thursday, when he was traded to the Reds along with Aaron Harang and Jeff Bruksch for Joe Guillen.

Valentine has been a closer most of his minor-league career until this year.

"They had an older guy they used at (Triple-A) Sacramento," he said, "and I struggled early."

Valentine was 1-3 with a 4.82 ERA and four saves at Sacramento.

He was dominant in 2002: 4-1 with a 1.97 ERA and 36 saves for Double-A Birmingham. He converted his final 24 save chances. He allowed only one home run and 36 hits in 59 1/3 innings.

The trade came as somewhat of a shock for Valentine. He had been traded to the A's from the Chicago White Sox in the offseason.

"It surprised me after having been traded the year before," he said. "But it's nice to be wanted. I thought I'd get more of an opportunity - whether it be at Triple-A or here."

Valentine made one appearance for Louisville. He worked two perfect innings and struck out two against Charlotte on Saturday.

"The reports say he was outstanding," Reds manager Dave Miley said.

Valentine throws the same three pitches - fastball, slider, splitter - that former closer Scott Williamson threw. Valentine will work as a setup man for now.

SOON FOR SULLY: Scott Sullivan threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday.

"It was nice to be out on the hill again," Sullivan said. "It felt good. I was glad to be able to get out there without having any sharp pains."

Sullivan has been on the disabled list since July 18 with shoulder tendinitis.

He could be activated as soon as Thursday if he has no ill effects from Tuesday's session.

FREDDIE'S BACK: Former Red Freddie Benavides is back with the club as a coach - at least for now.

"They called and wanted me on this road trip to work with infielders," Benavides said. "We'll see how it goes from there."

Benavides played for the Reds in 1991 and '92. He had been the Reds' minor-league infielder coordinator. He was the manager of the Dayton Dragons in their first season (2000).

The Reds are up to the staff level they were at before the firing of Bob Boone and coaches Tim Foli and Tom Robson.

Mark Berry was moved from bullpen catcher to bench coach. Onix Mercado was brought in as bullpen catcher.

JUNIOR SPEAKS: While Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek took a beating on talk radio over the Ken Griffey Jr. case, his patient was fine with the treatment.

Arthroscopic surgery Monday revealed more damage to Griffey's shoulder than was first thought. Griffey dislocated the shoulder April 5. Griffey, through a Reds spokesman, made it known he knew the risk he was taking.

"After I hurt my shoulder, I was determined to play if I could play," Griffey said. "I knew it was risky. They told me I might be able to rehab it, and I did to the point where I could play. I wasn't going to have surgery at that point just to have surgery, but after I hurt my ankle we decided to go ahead and do the shoulder."

Griffey pointed out that Kremchek wasn't alone in his opinion.

"I have complete faith in Dr. Kremchek," Griffey said.

TV LISTINGS: Adam Dunn and Sean Casey are scheduled to be guests at 8 p.m. today on Best Damn Sports Show Period on Fox Sports Net. The show leads in to Real Reds, the Reds' pregame show.