By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Stubble covered his face and dark circles curled under his eyes. Jimmy Haynes was worn out.

"I wasn't sure how well I was going to do," the Reds pitcher said Sunday. "I haven't had too much sleep the past couple of days."

Working on little rest following the birth of his and wife Mandi's third child on Saturday in Georgia, Haynes turned in a solid performance against the Pirates.

His second start, and third appearance overall this spring, surely allowed some in Reds camp to rest a little easier Sunday night.

Haynes, a right-hander, allowed only two hits and walked one over four scoreless innings at Ed Smith Stadium. His ERA dropped from 9.00 to 3.86.

"He threw the ball well," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "Free and easy."

This spring has been anything but easy for Haynes.

Projected as one of the Reds' five starters entering camp, he was held back early to strengthen his core muscles. The setback cast doubt on whether Haynes could get ready by the season's start.

"He still has time to get ready," Miley said. "We'd rather take care of the business early in camp.

"He's worked hard to get back to where he is. And like I told him, he's an important part of our staff."

Trainers delayed Haynes' mound progress because they didn't want him experiencing back problems similar to the ones that limited him to 18 starts during a disappointing 2-12 showing in 2003.

Haynes twice went on the disabled list because of a bulging disc in his lower back. The 31-year-old, who went 15-10 in 2002 and will make $2.5 million this season, did not make a start after Aug. 3.

"The back feels good. The arm feels good," Haynes said. "I'll try to keep it that way."

Sunday's outing was a considerable improvement on his first spring start when he allowed three runs on four hits against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Haynes threw 24 of 40 pitches for strikes and retired the first six batters he faced.

"I probably could've gone longer," Haynes said. "I wasn't getting tired. I figured I would. But if you go by my at-bat you might think I was tired."

Haynes struck out in his only at-bat Sunday. It was an understandable out. Haynes flew back to Georgia late Thursday to be with his wife in the hospital and returned to Sarasota late Saturday.

Brett William Haynes was born around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in LaGrange, Ga. He is the couple's third child.

"I probably got a couple (hours of sleep) Thursday," Haynes said. "Friday I got a little more. It still ain't what I'm used to getting. It's tough to sleep in a hospital."