John Fay

jfay@enquirer.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Reds manager Bryan Price was asked about his Opening Day roster this morning.

He reiterated that injuries -- Mat Latos, Jack Hannahan, Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall have not appeared in a game yet -- could have a significant effect on it and open spots for non-roster players.

"They all have a ways to go," Price said. "So there is some opportunity for guys to come in and make our club at least for Opening Day. . . You never know. There are some guys who have done some impressive things -- certainly no more than Neftali Soto and Roger Bernadina. They're players we're looking at. A guy like Jose Diaz has dome some things to get himself on the map if some of those guys aren't ready. Pedro Beato has been terrific.

"There's reason to be optimistic if you're a pitcher or a position player that there might be some opportunity."

This week is critical for Latos, Hannahan, Broxton and Marshall.

"I think we'll have a really good idea on every one (of them)," Price said. "We should know if some of those guys are in the running to make the roster health-wise or if they're going to have to start doing something in the minor leagues to get ready. It's hard to say what the roster will look like Opening Day at this point."

And Price still isn't ready to name his Opening Day starter. Well, at least, he's not ready to announce it.

"Not yet," Price said. "We're getting closer. As you guys know, I fully understand what I need to do. But I need to validate a few things before I make any commitments here."