Bryan Price Walks A Tightrope In September

Bryan Price would like to see Adam Duvall play some leftfield or the corner infield but the pennant race is in the way.

"I am comfortable with him in leftfield in September against a team not in the pennant race," Price said. "I'd like to see a lot of players. I'd like to get (Ramon) Cabrera a start, probably with a pitcher he's caught at Louisville."

The second part of that statement shouldn't be a problem since the Reds' are have five rookies in the starting rotation and all but Anthony DeSclafani have pitched for the Bats in Louisville.

Duvall's more common positions are thirdbase and firstbase.

"He won't get too many available at bats with Todd Frazier and Joey Votto in the lineup most of the time," Price said.  'You have to balance playing your best lineup for the integrity of the pennant race and the obligation for the organization to learn their players."

The Reds play most of their remaining games against teams that have a chance for the postseason.  They have to put their best lineup on the field for those games.

Due to injuries, Price has been able to see what Ivan De Jesus Jr. could do.  De Jesus Jr. didn't have much outfield experience but has been working with coach Billy Hatcher on the finer points of playing the outfield.

"He's answered that question," Price said. "He is going to be one of those utility players. He can give Suarez a break every three or four days."

The Reds themselves are playing for pride, trying now to get out of last place in the Central Division.

“Part of being a professional is knowing that you’re going to play 162 games," Price said. "These guys are proud people. They don’t want to play on a last-place team. There’s a personal pride involved. They have goals they want to accomplish. Then there’s the matter of how they want to be perceived. They don’t want to be seen as turning in a lackluster effort. It’s not necessarily playing spoiler, but we don’t want to make it easy for anybody.”