Reds' Jocketty: Young arms possible for bullpen fix

The Reds will try to get the bullpen right with the arms on the current roster — for the time being at least.

But general manager Walt Jocketty did not rule out using some of the young arms in the minors if things don't turn around. Jocketty did say that club has not reached out to Rafael Soriano, the former closer who remains on the free agent market.

"We haven't," he said. "And they haven't contacted us. I think he's probably out of our price range."

The Reds have dropped two straight series since sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opening series of the year. The Reds are 5-4 on the year. They were off Thursday. They open a three-game series in St. Louis Friday.

If not for eighth-inning meltdowns, the Reds would have won the series at home against St. Louis and the series against the Cubs in Chicago and be 7-2 on the year.

"We've got to get the bullpen sorted out," Jocketty said. "We saw good things from these guys in the spring training. We think it will help if we can get them regular work.''

Right-handers Kevin Gregg and Jumbo Diaz have each had cracks at the eighth inning. Each has given up two two-run homer runs in the eighth. Diaz's led to blown saves and losses. The Reds actually won both games Gregg gave up the two-run shots in. They came back on Opening Day, and Tuesday in Chicago he was protecting a three-run lead.

The Reds have two very good young arms at Triple-A in Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen. Both are in the rotation at Louisville.

But if the bullpen continues to struggle, the Reds will look at them as relievers at the big league level.

"At some point," Jocketty said "We'd really like to lengthen them out. With Iglesias we have to protect his innings because he hasn't pitched much the last couple of years. We saw in that start he pitched well but then he got fatigued.

"We'd prefer that he stay a starter for a while. But, at some point, he could help us out the bullpen.

Jocketty said the same is true of Lorenzen.

Other than the bullpen, Jocketty is pleased with the way things have gone.

"We're scoring runs," he said. "I think the lineup is going to be fine, especially when (Devin) Mesoraco and (Marlon) Byrd start to get hot."

Mesoraco missed the Chicago series with a sore hip. Jocketty said he continues to progress.

"He's doing better," Jocketty said. "We expect him to join us some time this weekend."

Mesoraco was hitting .095 before the injury. Byrd, the biggest offseason acquisition, is hitting .147 with three RBI.

Joey Votto has basically carried the offense so far. He's hit .354 with three home runs and nine RBI. Brandon Phillips is up to .324 after a hot series in the Chicago. Todd Frazier (.219),, Jay Brcue (.219) and Billy Hamilton (.216) have all had their moments in the early season, but none has been hot lately.

The rotation has been solid. Jason Marquis was the first starter to fail to make it through five innings in Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the Cubs. It was the first time this season the Reds haven't at least held the lead in a game. The rotation has a 3.29 ERA — fifth best in the National League.

Johnny Cueto leads the NL in ERA at 0.64. Rookie Anthony DeSclafani is ninth at 1.38.

"The rotation will be even better when we get Homer (Bailey) back this weekend," Jocketty said.