By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

Ryan Freel got his 10th start at second base Sunday. And, while the start got Freel to a statistical milestone, that wasn't the reason behind it.

As is usually the case, Reds manager Dave Miley put Freel in the lineup out of need.

Second baseman D'Angelo Jimenez needed a rest, Juan Castro was out after having his wisdom teeth removed, so Freel started at second.

With the start, Freel became the first player since Detroit's Tony Phillips in 1991-92 to start at least 10 games at five positions.

"It's great to be able to play all those positions," Freel said. "When it's something that hasn't been done in years, it's nice."

Freel has 48 starts at third base, 23 in center field, 22 in right field, 11 in left field and 10 at second.

Second base is the position Freel came up playing.

The thing that makes him invaluable now is that he doesn't hurt the team defensively at second, third or the outfield positions.

"When you ask his best position, you can't pick it out," Miley said. "I'm not hesitant to put him anywhere."

It's Freel's offense that may have the Reds thinking beyond a utility role for next season. Freel has hit .280 in 450 at-bats. His on-base percentage - the key stat for a leadoff man - is a healthy .380. He has also stolen 32 bases.

The Reds could play Freel at third, which is open. Or they could play him at second, should they decide to non-tender Jimenez. Jimenez makes $1.615 million and is due a big raise in arbitration.

CASTRO OUT: Castro did not return Sunday after having his wisdom teeth removed Friday. He could be out as long as five days.

RARE FEAT: Adam Dunn is on pace to become only the second Red to have 100 runs, 100 RBI and 100 walks in a season. Dunn has 93 runs, 91 RBI and 102 walks.

Joe Morgan had 113 runs, 111 RBI and 114 walks in 1976 - the second of his back-to-back MVP seasons.

FARM REPORT: Double-A Chattanooga lost to Tennessee 7-6 Saturday. That gave Tennessee the series, three games to one.

Bubba Nelson, the right-hander obtained in the Chris Reitsma deal with the Atlanta Braves, started for the Lookouts. He allowed three runs on three hits in five innings. Edwin Encarnacion went 2-for-4 with three RBI. For the series, he was 8-for-15 with two homers and seven RBI.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com