Relief help arrives from minors
By Josh Katzowitz
Post staff reporter

Jerry Narron looked at the white board in his office that displays the name of every Reds player on the roster. With four new additions, including three relief pitchers, to the board, Narron was asked how he planned to rotate a bullpen staff that suddenly has grown to 11.

Was he going to get the three relief pitchers that were called up from Class AAA on Monday (Chris Booker, Allan Simpson and Joe Valentine) a decent number of innings?

"I don't know what you call a decent number," Narron said with a smile.

The implication was that Narron, who also welcomed catcher Miguel Perez onto the roster, has a tough task of trying to distribute innings among the expanded bullpen.

Narron said David Weathers, Kent Mercker, Matt Belisle, Jason Standridge, Brian Shackelford, Todd Coffey and Randy Keisler would, more or less, stay in their respective roles. For Josh Hancock, Booker, Simpson and Valentine, the answer might not be that simple.

"A lot will depend on how our starters are doing, how many runs we're scoring, and when they do get an opportunity, how well they perform," Narron said.

Plus, Ryan Wagner eventually will be activated from the disabled list, to which Narron responded, "I'll think about it when he comes off."

Of the three new relievers, Booker, who made his big-league debut Monday, provides the most intrigue.

Before Monday, he wasn't on the 40-man roster, despite an 8-4 record with 20 saves and a 2.49 ERA in Louisville this season. Now, he gets the opportunity for which he has waited 11 minor league seasons - a spot in the major leagues.

"From the start of the season until the end of the season, he's continued to progress," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "He's earned the opportunity."
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