Better Dead Than Red

The Reds shook up the roster today a la the Oakland A's on May 22, 2002. Now they'll have to see if the results are just as good:

- Ostensible starting third baseman Brandon Larson was sent down, replaced by Triple-A callup Ryan Freel.

- Pitchers Anderson and Josias Manzanillo were designated for reassignment. Chris Reitsma, Jeff Austin (both recalled), and Brian Reith (purchased) were brought up from the minors.

Larson was given 48 at-bats to prove himself. And even though he didn't show much in those at-bats, he deserved more of a chance. Juan Castro is expected to start at third base until Russell Branyan returns from the DL. Reitsma, who had a good ERA but a bad record last year (and that was the reason he was in manager Bob Boone's dog house from day one of spring training) takes over Jimmy Haynes' rotation spot and should remain in the rotation even after Haynes returns. The other two are decent prospects by all accounts.

So it took all of 18 games for the Reds to panic. I hope Boone has his resume together and his references lined up.