By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Reds haven't told Aaron Harang that he's in the starting rotation. "You can't assume anything," Harang said.

Reds pitcher Aaron Harang. (Enquirer file photo)

Tell you what, Aaron, you can go ahead and assume you're getting the ball every fifth day once the season starts.

Harang made his sixth appearance of the spring Tuesday in the Reds' 8-2 victory over Minnesota Twins. Like the other five, it was a gem. Harang went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits. He struck out six and walked none.

For the spring, Harang is 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA. In 24 2/3 innings, he's allowed 21 hits, two walks and struck out 22.

Harang, 25, a right-hander obtained from Oakland in the Jose Guillen trade, is proof how successful a pitcher can be using the "pound the zone" approach the Reds have been harping on all spring.

"I've never been one to walk a lot of guys," Harang said. "If I'm walking people, it's just not my day. But I've always tried to attack the hitters."

The Reds' announcement of the rotation will come today. But it's clear that it will be Cory Lidle, Paul Wilson, Jose Acevedo, Jimmy Haynes and Harang, barring something unforeseen.

Haynes will start today against the Toronto Blue Jays. He will be followed by Jesus Sanchez, who has pitched well this spring (1-1, 2.00 ERA) as a starter, but he's also been effective in relief. It looks like the Reds are going leaning toward using him out of the bullpen.

FALSE ALARM: A San Diego paper reported Sunday that Ryan Freel would be traded from the Reds to Padres for pitcher Dennis Tankersley Monday.

That didn't happen.

"I'm glad it didn't," Freel said. "I worked all my career to get in the position I'm in now. I don't want to start over. I love it here. I love this team. I love Cincinnati."

There was no credence to the report. "I haven't talked to (San Diego general manager) Kevin Towers all spring," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "There was just no fit there."

JONES OK: Todd Jones was feeling good after taking a line drive off his right arm Monday. "I'm hoping to pitch Thursday," he said. "It's a lot better."

The ball hit Jones in the triceps. He is trying to make the club as a non-roster invitee. Jones has pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings since the Reds signed him Thursday.

NO REDS: The Sporting News polled executives from 17 major league teams to rank the top 50 players in baseball. No Reds made the list.

Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees was first, followed by San Francisco's Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com