By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Relief pitcher Felix Heredia, who was the only left-handed pitcher remaining in the Reds bullpen, was claimed off waivers Monday by the New York Yankees.

"Right now, it's just like, 'Who will be next?' " relief pitcher Chris Reitsma said.

Though Heredia was making $600,000 this season, the move will save the Reds $400,000 toward next year's budget.

Heredia was close to reaching an incentive that would have given him a player option for 2004 at $1.7 million. Had he reached the incentive, the Reds could've bought out the contract for $400,000.

By claiming Heredia on waivers, the Yankees took the last of three left-handers from the Reds bullpen.

Gabe White and Kent Mercker were traded to the Yankees and Braves in recent weeks.

A non-roster invitee to spring training, Heredia was 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 57 games.

For current Reds players, the move was another unpleasant surprise.

On Monday, first baseman Sean Casey turned a corner in the Reds clubhouse and stopped to glance at the dry erase board.

Scribbled in green marker was the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers at Great American Ball Park.

"I'm surprised I'm in the lineup," Casey quipped. "They trade everybody. Just trade everybody. Just trade them away."

A Reds official defended Monday's move.

"The bottom line is the bottom line," assistant general manager Brad Kullman said. "We still have a good core of players here. I think there is going to be some players available so we're trying to maximize our flexibility to make the right moves."

Every facet of the Reds, from the infield to the outfield and pitching staff, continues to be reshaped by injury and trades.

Outfielder Reggie Taylor, who dislocated his left shoulder diving for a ball Sunday, will undergo surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum and is expected to be ready for spring training.

Eight players remain from the 25 listed on Cincinnati's opening day roster. And with Taylor's injury, the Reds now have 10 players on the disabled list.

"Our biggest need is health," Kullman said, "getting our players healthy and keeping them healthy."

Monday's news was not limited to Taylor and Heredia.

Shortstop Barry Larkin will wait another 10 days to see if his sprained left ring finger will require season-ending surgery.

Relief pitcher Mark Watson, who was hospitalized over the weekend with swelling in his arms and legs, was examined Monday and will undergo a kidney biopsy today. He is expected to remain at Good Samaritan Hospital for at least the next two days.

"We're hopeful it's something that can be treated relatively quickly," Kullman said. "But I think we're probably looking at the disabled list with him. We hopefully should know more (today)."

Third baseman Brandon Larson has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder and likely is done for the season.

"Brandon has talked about getting a second opinion," head trainer Mark Mann said. "But it is our opinion that he will need surgery to repair the torn labrum."

Taking Taylor's place on the roster will be pitcher Dan Serafini, who was 10-2 with a 1.59 ERA in 15 games with the Monterrey Sultans of the Mexican League this season.

The former first-round pick will start against the Brewers today. He is 14-13 with a 6.06 ERA in 91 career major-league games, but hasn't pitched in the majors since 2000.

"We had a scout follow him very closely in Mexico," Kullman said. "He saw Serafini pitch a lot . . . and was very positive about his ability to pitch up here."

Disappearing act

Here's a look at the status of the Reds' 25-man roster on Opening Day (stats entering Monday):

SS Barry Larkin	On disabled list
2B Aaron Boone	Traded to Yankees
CF Ken Griffey Jr.	On disabled list
RF Austin Kearns	On disabled list
LF Adam Dunn	On disabled list
1B Sean Casey	(.291, 12 HR, 66 RBI)
3B Brandon Larson	On disabled list
C Jason LaRue	(.232, 15 HR. 45 RBI)
RHP Jimmy Haynes	On disabled list
LHP Jimmy Anderson	Released
RHP Ryan Dempster	On disabled list
RHP Danny Graves	(4-14, 5.30)
LHP Felix Heredia	Claimed on waivers by Yankees
RHP J. Manzanillo	In minor leagues
LHP Kent Mercker	Traded to Braves
LHP Gabe White	Traded to Yankees
RHP Scott Williamson	Traded to Red Sox
RHP Paul Wilson	(8-10, 4.74)
C Kelly Stinnett	(.243, 3 HR, 18 RBI)
IF Felipe Lopez	Disabled list
OF Ruben Mateo	(.242, 3 HR, 12 RBI)
OF Wily Mo Pena	(.159, 0 HR, 4 RBI)
OF Reggie Taylor	To be placed on disabled list