Gonzalez sat out all of last year with a compression fracture of his left knee that required surgery.

"He is trying to do everything everyone else does and tries to keep up," said Baker. "We noticed him limping a bit a few days ago and backed him off a couple of days.

"But on Friday he looked great doing baserunning drills and taking infield practice," Baker added.

Will Gonzalez play when exhibition games begin Wednesday?

"Don't know yet," said Baker. "We're still toying with that one."

Circling the bases

For those who wonder if the Cincinnati Reds ever work on anything in spring training but their golf strokes, fishing casts and toasty tans, watching a recent workout would have gladdened hearts.

The Reds last season were highly criticized over their baserunning gaffes - rightfully so - and it looked as if the team never worked on the nuances of baserunning.

In the interest of changing that perception, Eric Davis and Billy Hatcher conducted a workout that had manager Dusty Baker in awe.

"I told the guys that it was THE finest baserunning conditioning workout I've ever seen," said Baker. "As far as technique, as far as cutting the corners on bases, as far as energy, as far as training - along with some fun and competition as well - that was THE best.

"Eric Davis made sure they cut the corners correctly and Eric and Hatcher discussed technique and energy."

The pitching plan

It is almost exhibition time - the opener is Wednesday in Port Charlotte against Tampa Bay after an intrasquad game Tuesday.

Because Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto both are leaving camp this week to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, both will pitch Wednesday against Tampa Bay, along with a couple of innings by Homer Bailey.

After that: Micah Owings pitches the exhibition home opener against the Twins on Thursday, Bronson Arroyo starts Friday against the Phillies, Nick Masset starts against the Red Sox in Fort Myers on Saturday and Aaron Harang faces the Yankees at home Sunday.

"We'll pitch Homer Bailey in that Yankees game because he'll only pitch a couple of innings Wednesday," said pitching coach Dick Pole. "We don't know how long Volquez and Cueto will be gone - a week or three weeks, depending upon how long their team survives."

Bruce, others sign

The Reds have agreed to terms on one-year contracts with OF Jay Bruce, RHP Jared Burton, RHP Carlos Fisher, 3B Juan Francisco, LHP Daniel Ray Herrera, RHP Sam LeCure, LHP Matt Maloney, RHP Robert Manuel, RHP Josh Roenicke, IF Adam Rosales and C Craig Tatum.

Quote of the day

Baker, when asked if he has talked much with infielder and super prospect Todd Frazier: "Just a little bit. I see him, but I hear him mostly. I hear his bat. He has a different sound in his bat. He has a different swing, but it is very effective."