By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Juan Castro has played in all seven Reds games this season, either as a fill-in starter for shortstop Barry Larkin or as a late-inning defensive replacement in the infield. The Cincinnati Enquirer/CRAIG RUTTLE

PHILADELPHIA - Juan Castro was in the Reds' lineup for Wednesday's game with the Philadelphia Phillies.

That would have given Castro a rare chance to use his bat and glove, so he was mildly disappointed when the game was postponed because of rain.

"That's not good," he said. "I was going to get a chance for some at-bats. But you know the field is in bad shape.

"Maybe I'll be in the lineup again (today)."

Castro, a 31-year-old utility player, knows he'll start only if Barry Larkin's forearm is still giving him trouble. That's why Castro was supposed to play Wednesday.

"If I don't start, I'll be ready when they need me," Castro said.

Castro has started three games for the Reds this year and has played in all seven.

That trend will continue.

"I told him he's going to play in 162 games," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "He might only get 162 at-bats, but he's going to play every day."

Said Castro: "I feel like I'm the infield closer."

That's describes his role pretty well. Castro generally enters the game in the seventh or eighth inning as a defensive replacement for Ryan Freel at third base.

That also will be the case when Brandon Larson returns at third.

Pinch-hitting is widely regarded as the toughest job in the baseball, but coming into a tight game cold to play the field isn't a day at the beach either.

"You're never 100 percent loose," Castro said. "It seems like 60 or 70 percent of the time, the first ball comes to you."

So far, Castro has 15 at-bats in the seven games. He has only two hits (.133) but he has been the Reds' biggest contributor off the bench.

That says how good Castro is as a fielder. He is the Reds' best shortstop, third baseman and second baseman.

"If they gave a Gold Glove for utility guys, he'd win it," Miley said.

In one of his starts for Larkin, Castro had a spectacular game. He made three dandy plays at short, then moved to third and made a fine one there.

"I don't want to talk trash," he said. "But I've had a lot of games like that. That's what I can do."

Castro has lived forever with a good-glove, no-hit tag. He deserved it at one time; he hit .197 in 1996, .147 in 1997 and .195 in 1998.

But he gradually has improved since the Reds acquired him in a 2000 trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Last year, he was decent offensively. He hit .253 with nine home runs and 33 RBI - all career-highs.

He thinks he can be that kind of hitter again this season with more at-bats.

"It's difficult if you don't play much," he said. "You need three or four at-bats to get comfortable. A lot of people thought I'd never hit in the major leagues, but I have confidence in myself."

The Reds' future at shortstop remains unclear. Larkin is scheduled to retire after the season. Shortstop prospects Ray Olmedo and Felipe Lopez aren't ready - at least at this point.

Castro, who becomes a free agent, would like the job.

"I don't know what their plans are," he said. "If they decide to bring me back, that's great. But right now, I'm worrying about this year and trying to help the team win."

Career with the Reds

YEAR	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	AVG.
2001	96	242	27	54	3	13	.223
2002	54	82	5	18	2	11	.220
2003	113	320	28	81	9	33	.253
2004	7	15	1	2	0	0	.133

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com