Jeff Keppinger is taking BP right now and Norris Hopper looks like he'll be after him.

Both are in the house, we'll see what that means in a little bit.

* Last night, not only did the Billings Mustangs win, but Doug Gray reports the $2 million kid, Juan Duran, made his debut in the Domincan Summer League, going 0-for-2 with a HBP, walk and strikeout.

* And, well, we got lineups

Redlegs

1. Joey Votto 1b
2. Jolbert Cabrera ss
3. Jay Bruce rf
4. Brandon Phillips 2b
5. Adam Dunn lf
6. Edwin Encarnacion 3b
7. Corey Patterson cf
8. David Ross c
9. Bronson Arroyo p

Trolley Dodgers

1. Juan Pierre lf
2. Blake DeWitt 3b
3. Jeff Kent 2b
4. Russell Martin c
5. James Loney 1b
6. Matt Kemp cf
7. Andre Ethier rf
8. Angel Berroa ss
9. Derek Lowe p

* Ken Griffey Jr. is still sick. He said he has "flu-like symptoms" and has trouble focusing on things far away, and thinks that may be dehydration. Baker said he doesn't expect Griffey to play today or tomorrow.

When asked if he could still pinch hit, Griffey said: "Hopefully not -- hopefully we'll have a enough runs that I don't have to."

* Baker also said Jeff Keppinger may be ready for the Cleveland series. Keppinger told him his legs are still sore, and he'd hoped for the New York series. Baker doesn't want to bring him back on artificial turf in Toronto, so is aiming for Cleveland or the following series at home against Pittsburgh.

Hopper, he said, is "much closer" to returning.

* As for Votto leading off, Baker said it was temporary and against the lefty Eric Stults tomorrow, they'll probably do something different.

When we were waiting for Votto, he saw us and said, "They want to talk to Rickey?" Of course he was referring to Rickey Henderson, the greatest lead-off batter of all time, who also liked to speak in the third person.

Speaking in the third person is just as new to Votto as leading off.

"I can’t remember ever doing it,” Votto said. “(Baker) said do the same thing I always do, just do it form the leadoff spot.”

I asked him if he took notes with Jacoby Ellsbury the other day, getting on and then stealing second and third.

“Pay attention, I expect to steal second, third and then home,” Votto said with a laugh. “No.”

* From the Reds:

Prior to tonight’s game, the Reds returned from a rehabilitation assignment and reinstated from the 15-day disabled list OF Norris Hopper and optioned to Class AAA Louisville RHP Homer Bailey.

Hopper has been on the 15-day DL since 4/23 with a nerve irritation in his right elbow...in 6 rehab apps at Louisville and Sarasota he is hitting .292 (7-24).

Bailey went 0-3, 8.76 in 3 starts for the Reds.

The Reds have not named a starting pitcher for Saturday’s game at Yankee Stadium.

 

Baker said there'd be another move for Saturday.

Hopper helps immediately for the team's bench and will likely start tomorrow leading off against lefty Eric Stults.

"It gives me versatility in the outfield I didn’t have last night,” Baker said. “We’ve got a left-hander tomorrow and I don’t think Junior’s going to be available tomorrow either.”

Bailey threw his sceduled bullpen session with Dick Pole. Pole wanted to work with Bailey before sending him down.

“Dick wanted him to throw a pen with him,” Baker said. “It’s his pen day.”