DaytonDailyNews.com

PITTSBURGH — During spring training, the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A's were working on a deal involving Reds outfielder Chris Denorfia.

Then, near the end of the spring, Denorfia felt what he thought was a cramp in his right forearm after making a throw from the outfield.

The Reds soon learned Denorfia needed Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and the trade appeared dead.

But after a few weeks, the A's called again, and discussions resumed.

On Friday, the Reds traded Denorfia to the A's for two players to be named later and cash.

"It speaks to how much they like Deno," Reds General Manager Wayne Krivsky said. "It got to the point where what they were offering was a win-win for all of us."

The Reds chose Denorfia in the 19th round of the June 2002 draft. Consistently one of the Reds' better minor-league players, he appeared in 67 games for Cincinnati in the past two seasons and hit .278.

During spring training, Denorfia battled with Norris Hopper for a fifth outfielder spot behind Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Ryan Freel and Josh Hamilton. Denorfia and Hopper both went on the disabled list near the end of the spring, but Hopper has returned to the Reds' roster while Denorfia ended his 2007 season with surgery April 3.

"I think he's a little bit numb" about the trade, Krivsky said.

Krivsky said one of the players to be named might be revealed within the next few days, while the other will likely take a few months to disclose.

Coffey gets extension

Since his 2005 debut, Todd Coffey has become one of Cincinnati's most-used relievers. The Reds rewarded his consistency Friday with a one-year contract extension for 2008 that will pay Coffey $925,000.

"Now all I have to worry about is getting people out," Coffey said.

That's been easier said than done for the Reds' bullpen lately. Relievers had a combined ERA of 4.94 with a 4-5 record entering Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"I've got confidence in all of them," said Reds manager Jerry Narron. "Shoot, what'd they run out, 14 straight scoreless innings earlier in the year? It's there."

Lohse not tipping

Kyle Lohse's start Thursday for the Reds against the St. Louis Cardinals was so different from his earlier appearances — he gave up five runs on 11 hits in six innings — that some wondered if hitters knew what pitches were coming.

Narron was asked if the staff checks videotape after games to see if pitchers are "tipping" their pitches.

"Absolutely, every time somebody pitches," Narron said. "But just because somebody gets hit doesn't mean they're tipping their pitches."

Entering Thursday, Lohse was 1-0 with a 1.91 ERA and hadn't allowed more than four runs in his first four starts.

"It's tough to go out there and do that inning after inning," Narron said.

Quick hits

• Ken Griffey Jr. remained out of Friday's starting lineup with soreness in his chest. He also missed Thursday's game. Prior to Friday's game, he had a chest X-ray. It was normal.

The Reds outfielder has been diagnosed with pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs). He did pinch hit Friday and walked.

• Because their game on April 15 (Jackie Robinson Day) was rained out, the entire Pirates roster wore No. 42 to honor Robinson on Friday.

• Right-hander Jared Burton was transferred from Class AAA Louisville to Class AA Chattanooga on a rehab assignment.