By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds catcher Jason LaRue watches six-year-old Jayla Henson catch a ball during a clinic for Sarasota youth in Ed Smith Stadium. The Reds sponsored the clinic and about 100 area youths participated. (Michael E. Keating photo)

SARASOTA, Fla. - With Felipe Lopez healthy, one of the more interesting battles in Reds camp will be for the extra infield spots.

Lopez has put himself back into contention.

"That would be accurate," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "Through the rehabilitation process he's gotten himself at 100 percent and no one would have predicted that."

Depending how the roster shapes up, it may come down to keeping either Lopez or Ray Olmedo.

"They will both get legitimate consideration," O'Brien said.

Juan Castro has the team made. Ryan Freel, because he also plays outfield and is the best base stealer on the club, also is a good bet. Tim Hummel is also in the mix, but Lopez and Olmedo are superior at the middle infield positions, so that may give them an advantage.

"That's something we'll take a close look at," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "(Olmedo and Lopez) will get an opportunity. The decision will be made by what goes on in the games."

Olmedo, 22, was rushed to the big leagues without playing in Triple-A, largely because Lopez struggled after making the team out of spring training. Offense is the question with Olmedo. He started well last year, hitting .356 in June and .268 in July, but faded and ended up hitting .239 overall. He was good in winter ball, hitting .320.

Lopez, 23, has great talent, but he's yet to put it together consistently in the big leagues. He hit only .213 before his demotion to Triple-A Louisville.

BOONE TALK: The Reds haven't looked further into pursuing Aaron Boone, who was released by the Yankees after injuring his knee in the offseason.

O'Brien wants to get the medical records before he makes a decision on whether to try to bring Boone back.

"Right now, we have other priorities, we have not requested his medical records," O'Brien said.

GRAY VS. WHITE: The Reds will be divided into two clubs for the Tuesday's intrasquad game.

For the White, the batting order will be: D'Angelo Jimenez, second base; Barry Larkin, shortstop; Ken Griffey Jr., designated hitter; Sean Casey, first base; Jason LaRue, catcher; Ryan Freel, center field; Reggie Taylor, right field; Brandon Larson, third base; and Stephen Smitherman, left field.

For the Gray, it will be: Juan Castro, second base; Ray Olmedo, shortstop; Austin Kearns, DH; Adam Dunn, left field; Jacob Cruz, first base; Corky Miller, catcher; Wily Mo Pena, center field; Edwin Encarnacion, third base and Jermaine Clark, right field.

"You won't see any hit-and-runs," he said. "We may steal a base. But, for the most part, we'll just watch them play."

ON DOTTED LINE: Miller, Olmedo, Joe Valentine, Phil Norton and Ryan Wagner signed one-year contracts Sunday.

The Reds have eight unsigned players: Jose Acevedo, Claussen, Dunn, Freel, Kearns, Larson, Lopez and Smitherman. The contract renewal period begins Tuesday.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com