John Fay

jfay@enquirer.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds manager Bryan Price still isn't ready to name his Opening Day starter.

It will be either Johnny Cueto or Homer Bailey.

"The whole thing has really been about health," Price said. "We've had a little bit of a challenge this spring keeping all our guys on a regular schedule. Johnny's coming off a season where he only made a handful of starts, compared to the other guys.

"Before we made a commitment to any of them, we wanted to get through the bulk of spring training and make sure we were in good shape. There are only so many things we can do with the order. So you're looking at Johnny or Homer. But I'd like to get through one more start."

Cueto has made the last two Opening Day starts and pitched well (one run in 14 innings over the two). He's been good this spring, except for one start. He's gone nine innings and allowed one run over his last two starts.

Under Dusty Baker, the order of rotation was set to separate the power pitchers, Cueto, Bailey and Mat Latos, from Mike Leake and Bronson Arroyo, who rely more on finesse. With Tony Cingrani in the rotation, that's not as much of a factor.

"We've got some power and we've got one lefty," Price said. "I don't think there's much we have to do to separate anyone from anyone else."

The Reds do start the season with the St. Louis Cardinals. That could be a factor in how the rotation is set.

"I think what's important is the match-ups against certain teams that you play," Price said. "That doesn't really serve a great purpose because it isn't something you can really control, No. 1. And, No. 2, you don't want certain pitchers to avoid certain teams because I think it sends the wrong message.

"If you have certain pitchers who have historically struggled against a certain team, eventually they've got to find their way to get through that lineup, so you've got to give them that opportunity. Quite often once you set your rotation, you're kind of married to it until you have an off day."

Price will continue to stay on turn through off days, i.e., not skip a starter.

"We like to use that to give everyone an extra day," Price said.

INTO THE PLANS: Price has mentioned right-hander Nick Christiani as someone who could figure into the Reds' plans early with relievers Sean Marshall and Jonathan Broxton on the mend.

"His ability to be a multi-inning guy and the combination of ground-ball, strikeout pitcher is a nice thing," Price said. "I know historically lefties have given him a bit more trouble. He's been able to get comfortable throwing a cut fastball and really improved his change-up. That's made him - to me - a better prospect.

"He's got good stuff and he's repeating it. He hasn't had a good camp until this year. He's been here a couple of other times and he hasn't thrown the ball terribly well."

Christiani, 26, was 6-5 with a 3.65 ERA for Triple-A Louisville. He allowed a run in four innings with the Reds. He has allowed one run on two hits this spring. He's struck out five and walked none.

"I really believe that given the opportunity this could be a great year for Nick to get established as a big leaguer," Price said.

MARSHALL PLAN: Marshall (shoulder) will throw additional bullpens before facing live hitters or getting into a game.

"He's got some work to do with the time he took off," Price said. "He's feeling good, but he's not on speed-up rules. He's got to get comfortable on the mound again. He's going to have to face hitters, then get into games. He's got to get through all those with flying colors or progress will stay at the pace it's at."

BP THROWING BP: Price has been throwing batting practice much this spring. The Reds have plenty of left-handed batting practice pitchers during camp. Minor league coaches Ken Griffey Sr. and Tom Browning are in Goodyear.

The Reds also have long-time batting practice pitcher Tim Burman, a lefty, at home. But Price will continue to throw some batting practice.

Baker gave Price credit for Jay Bruce's development against left-handed pitchers.

HAMILTON'S THROW: Billy Hamilton made a perfect throw to get Elvis Andrus trying to go from first to third on Friday night. Price was impressed with the throw for a number of reasons.

"It wasn't because he overthrew the cutoff man," Price said. "He threw right through the cutoff man. We could have cut that ball and got the backside runner or let it go and got the lead runner. When he fields the ball, he knows exactly where to go with it. He has instinct with that as well, where the runners are, where the batter is, things of that nature. He's got a lot of baseball aptitude."