Again from Marc, the Reds have traded low-A starting pitcher Zach Ward to the Twins for right-handed sort-of starter Kyle Lohse.

Marc says that Lohse has been demoted to the major and sent back to the pen on his return to Minnesota. He brings with him a 2-5 record and a 7.07 ERA, so surely he's our new fifth starter.

After making the start on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, Justin Germano was optioned back to Louisville. Brandon Watson was called up to take his place. It seemed sort of odd since Germano had performed relatively well (better than Joe Mays, anyway) but Narron said that had been the plan all along.

I guess the rest of the plan unfolds today as Germano has been traded to the Phillies for 39-year old left-hander Rheal Cormier (thx Marc). You'd think we'd have had enough with 39-year old lefties but apparently you can never have enough.

Cormier brings a 2-2 record with a 1.59 ERA this year, down from his 4.01 career average. Hope he can keep it going.

Marc says that David Ross indeed made it back for today's game to play binky to Bronson Arroyo, so the Reds had to make room on the roster. They did so by designating for assignment Joe Mays.

Mays recently sparked an argument between me and the Crack Technical Staff. CTS said that Ryan Freel would be a better choice to start, whereas I took the more practical approach of saying a pitcher would be better on the mound than a utilityman.

In any event, Mays had been scheduled to start Saturday. Marc says the pitcher is TBA. George Grande said during the game tonight that they seem to be leading toward starting someone on three-days rest, so I guess that would be Arroyo?

At least he's got his binky back. For all the good it's doing him tonight.

Promoted from the Diaries. Love ya, HMZ.

TIME OUT!

The Reds signed Scott Hatteberg to a one-year, $1.65 million contract extension with a club option for 2008.

The official site says the terms of the contract were not disclosed; the terms that I've posted came from an article posted to rotoworld.com an hour ago:

Reds sign 1B Hatteberg for 2007

According to the linked article, Hatteberg will earn $1.5 million next year; the option for 2008 is worth $1.85 million and includes a $150,000 buyout; and the 2008 club option iincreases to a $2 million base salary with a $175,000 buyout if he has 500 plate appearances next season. It also says that he will earn an additional fifty grand 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances each season.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled coverage of the Reds' quest for a 2006 playoff berth, already in progress.

PLAY BALL!

Just heard Marty say that Kent Mercker has been placed on the DL retroactive to yesterday with inflammation in his shoulder. The Reds are expected to recall Brian Shackelford tomorrow.

I feel like saying something about a “Shack Attack” about now, but I think I'll keep it to myself.