By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHILADELPHIA - When the Reds decided to carry 12 pitchers, it was a given that the 12th would be an insurance policy.

His job would be to make a spot start if a starter couldn't go, or mop up if a starter couldn't go very long.

In their eight games so far, the Reds have needed no insurance, so Todd Van Poppel, the 12th guy, has been their version of the Maytag repair man - lots of waiting, no work.

"This is the longest I've ever gone without throwing or getting up to warm up," Van Poppel said.

Van Poppel, 32, a right-hander, is doing what he can to stay sharp.

"I've been throwing a lot," he said. "You want to keep yourself worn down a little. When you're too strong, your mechanics get off."

Van Poppel was 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA in nine appearances this spring, but he was satisfied he was ready for the season.

"I left spring training pitching well," he said. "I hope to get that feel back."

Van Poppel won't know until he gets into a game. It's difficult to replicate game conditions in the bullpen.

"It's different," he said. "You don't have that adrenaline. You get that even when you're warming up, if you know you might go in the game."

Van Poppel, of course, isn't going to complain.

"We're winning," he said, "That's the main thing."

LARKIN OUT: Barry Larkin's status did not change with Wednesday's rainout - he was still out of the lineup with a stiff right forearm for Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

Larkin pinch-hit and grounded into a double play in the ninth. But he still can't play the field.

"It bothers me when I throw," said Larkin.

Larkin is using the down time to work on his hitting stroke.

"I'm trying to get hits in April," he said. "I've got a lot of idle time. I might as well do something useful."

Larkin consistently has been a slow starter. He is 3-for-21 (.143) this season.

His career batting average for April is .268. He is a .300 hitter in the months other than April.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS: Because of Wednesday's rainout, the Reds will play eight straight day games - all four games in the Chicago series are day games.

LARSON UPDATE: Brandon Larson had four hits in the first two games of his rehabilitation assignment in Louisville, going 2-for-4 in each.

Larson, recovering from a turf toe injury, had an earlier rehab assignment cut short when he was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat. That forced him out for eight days.

Larson's first game back was not without incident. He fouled a ball off his toe in the Bats' 4-1 loss Wednesday, but he was able to start Thursday's game, which the Bats won 7-6.

Brandon Claussen started and went six innings, allowing one hit.

Claussen has pitched 12 innings this year and has a 0.00 ERA.

MINOR MATTERS: Dustin Moseley went six shutout innings for Double-A Chattanooga in a 3-2 win over Tennessee. He allowed two hits, struck out six and walked none.