By Kevin Kelly and John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

When Todd Van Poppel replaced Jimmy Haynes in the starting rotation earlier this month, the move created an opening in the Reds bullpen for a long reliever.

Brian Reith has assumed the role.

"I don't really approach it any differently," he said. "I approach it the same way. You've still got to get the hitter out. It's the same thing."

As the long reliever, Reith has seen little action lately. Entering Friday's game, he had pitched just two innings in the previous 11 games.

"If I do happen to get up, I just try to throw a little extra," said Reith, who was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA through Thursday. "I just keep working on a few things and try to stay as sharp as I can."

CASEY AT THE BAG: Sean Casey entered Friday's game leading the National League with a .364 batting average.

But the Reds first baseman's defense has not gone unnoticed.

"He's done very well," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "Any time there's a ground ball hit over there, if he can get to the bag without the pitcher having to get there, he does it."

Casey's .997 fielding percentage through Thursday was tied with Todd Helton, Derrek Lee and J.T. Snow for the best among everyday NL first basemen. His lone error this season was May 3 in Houston.

Defense is a priority. Before Thursday's game against the Rockies, Casey spent several minutes picking short-hop throws.

"He's worked hard," Miley said.

JR. AND THE ROCKET: Of the Reds, only Ken Griffey Jr. has more than 10 career at-bats against Astros pitcher Roger Clemens.

The 41-year-old starts against the Reds today. He is 7-0 with a 1.72 ERA.

"When he's on, you just tip your hat," said Griffey, who has a career .360 batting average with six homers and 16 RBI in 75 career at-bats against Clemens. "If he's going to give you something to hit, you've got to hit it. ... I prefer down the middle, but he isn't going to do that."

VANDER WAL UPDATE: John Vander Wal, who has played well at extended spring training, is pushing to begin his rehab assignment.

"I talked to John and emphasized patience," said Reds director of player development Tim Naehring, who just returned from Sarasota, Fla. "He's itching to come north. But he still has a noticeable limp. He's hit the ball well, but his injury isn't going to affect him at the plate. You're going to see it in the field and running the bases."

Vander Wal is coming off January surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament.

FARM REPORT: Dustin Moseley, on the disabled list at Double-A Chattanooga, is close to returning. He'll throw a simulated game in the next few days. He strained his back swinging at a pitch in early April.

ODDS AND ENDS: For the first time this season, the Reds used the same starting lineup for the third consecutive game Friday. ... Miley got a nice surprise when he checked his voice mail recently. New Bengals assistant coach Chuck Bresnahan had called. Miley and Bresnahan became friends when Bresnahan was the linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts during the 1996-97 seasons. Miley was managing Triple-A Indianapolis.