By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

ST. LOUIS - With the Reds clearly in build-for-the-future mode, you might be expecting to see a lot of new faces when the roster expands Sept. 1.

Don't count on it.

"We've had some very preliminary talks," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "We're going to decide on two criteria: one, they will have to have earned it; two, we'll only bring them up if there are meaningful innings or at-bats for them."

The Reds will also adhere to O'Brien's general philosophy of not rushing players.

That means Edwin Encarnacion, the third baseman at Double-A Chattanooga and the player generally considered the Reds' top prospect, won't get a call-up.

"I'd say probably not," O'Brien said. "He'll probably be in the Southern League playoffs anyway."

Dane Sardinha, the catcher at Triple-A, has a good shot at getting a call. Sardinha was hitting .265 with nine home runs and 38 RBI going into Wednesday - his best offensive numbers as a pro.

"He's made tremendous strides," O'Brien said.

Anderson Machado, the shortstop obtained in the Todd Jones trade, is another possibility, as is shortstop/second baseman Ray Olmedo.

As far as pitchers, don't look for many to get a promotion. The three best prospects at Louisville - Brandon Claussen, Joe Valentine and Luke Hudson - are already up.

The next two in line - Dustin Moseley and Matt Belisle - are starters. There probably won't be "meaningful" innings for them.

The Reds already have a very young rotation.

They are also expecting Paul Wilson to return right around Sept. 1.

O'Brien won't bring up players for the sake of getting them a taste of the big leagues.

"It doesn't do anyone any good to bring up players and have them sit on the bench," O'Brien said.