By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

OAKLAND, Calif. - With Barry Larkin out of the lineup against the A's on Wednesday, the Reds again turned to Felipe Lopez.

The shortstop made his fifth start in seven games and could see more time depending on the severity of Larkin's lower abdominal strain.

"We'll see what happens," Lopez said, "but I'm always ready to play."

The 24-year-old, who last season made 16 errors in 59 games with the Reds and later suffered a season-ending ankle injury, has played well defensively since his call-up from Triple-A Louisville on June 1.

His two errors entering Wednesday's game came in the first game after being called up.

"He's worked very hard and has come out three or four times to do some extra work," said Reds first base coach Randy Whisler, who works with the team's infielders. "Making the routine play, that's the one thing he's had trouble with.

"He tries to rush sometimes when he doesn't need to. With his athletic ability - he's got great tools - if you just take care of the routine play, that's all we really care about."

NOT SO BAD: The Reds used their third designated hitter in as many games Wednesday.

"I've always liked it," Jacob Cruz said. "A lot of guys complain that you're not in the game, but I think it's just a matter of getting used to it."

The Reds utility man, who played with the Indians from 1998-2001, entered with a .260 batting average as a DH.

"One thing is after your at-bat you come into the clubhouse and ride the bike," Cruz said. "You can't just go back to the bench and sit there and expect to be ready for your next at-bat, especially in chilly weather like we've had here."

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Sixty years ago today, a 15-year-old Joe Nuxhall donned a Reds uniform and made his major-league debut against the Cardinals.

The Reds radio broadcaster remains the youngest player to appear in a major-league game during baseball's modern era.

ANOTHER COVER BOY: First baseman Sean Casey, whose .379 batting average entering Wednesday led the majors, was the subject of a pregame photo shoot.

He is expected to appear on the next cover of ESPN The Magazine.

Center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. is the subject on this week's Sports Illustrated cover.

MINOR MATTERS: Triple-A Louisville pitcher Matt Belisle allowed one run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings against Pawtucket on Tuesday. The right-hander struck out four and walked three in the 5-1 win.

Double-A Chattanooga first baseman Jesse Gutierrez, shortstop Jeff Bannon and catcher Brian Peterson hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the third inning of a win against Jacksonville on Wednesday.

UP NEXT: The Reds are off today but continue interleague play Friday at Cleveland.

Right-hander Paul Wilson (7-0, 3.18) is scheduled to start the first game of the three-game series. He is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in four career starts against the Indians. Left-hander C.C. Sabathia (3-3, 2.99) will start for Cleveland.