DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — Ryan Hanigan is one of those longshots — undrafted out of Rollins College but signed by the Cincinnati Reds out of the summer college Cape Cod League.

He is 27 and it is now his time. Shine or fail.

Catcher David Ross was designated for assignment Sunday and Hanigan was not only called up from Class AAA Louisville, he was installed in the starting lineup.

Hanigan hit .324 in 75 games for the Bats, including .486 over his last 10 games.

"Hanigan was playing well and I always liked him," said manager Dusty Baker. "I like Ross, he did a good job for us, I have nothing to say bad about him. We had him on trade waivers and nobody claimed him.

"Right now, we're not heading north and lately we've been headed south," Baker added. "There are things we have to find out about other guys. Hanigan has a chance to be in our future and we need to learn if he can be a regular or if he can be a No. 2 next year."

Said Hanigan: "I was having fun playing at Louisville. It's an honor to be up here, but Louisville was winning games and it was a fun team to be on. Now I shift gears, try to learn the pitchers, see how things go."

Hanigan's debut was as good as the Reds were bad — two hits, including a two-run home run in the ninth, his first in the majors.

"I don't ever think I'm a home run hitter," he said. "I just try to put good swings on the ball. I'm a catcher and I'm here for the pitchers. But hopefully I can add some offense, too."

Bailey not distraught

Pitcher Homer Bailey had some eye-opening things to say after he was optioned to Class AAA Louisville Sunday, about how he almost prefers it there.

When somebody said going back to Louisville again had to be a bummer, Bailey brightened and said, "It's not the big leagues, but honestly I'm looking forward to it. They are seven or eight games up and in a playoff race. When I was down there before the guys were winning and there is good morale.

"Hopefully, I can help those guys win," Bailey added. "I hope I can't screw 'em up too bad. I don't know if they really want me. I haven't had a win since April. Maybe they'll say, 'Hey, no, we don't want Homer.' "

Bailey was 0-6 with a 7.93 ERA in eight starts and last won a game April 27 for Louisville.

"His last outing was his best since I've been here," said Baker. "My advice to him was, 'Win and improve. Then come back here and continue to improve.' I'm big on showing improvement and if you do that you're showing me you have the ability to learn, retain and apply what you learn."

How long for Rosales?

Infielder Adam Rosales, who made his major-league debut Saturday with a line drive out to the right field corner, believes he is here on borrowed time — probably until first baseman Joey Votto returns from bereavement leave.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends upon if the Reds are willing to eat the final six weeks of Corey Patterson's contract.

"I've worked hard for this and I'll take it for what it is, take it for the experience I'll get," said the 24-year-old 12th-round draft pick in 2005. "Definitely an honor. I'll do my best to learn and improve my game by being here."

Rosales was invited to camp last spring and was so impressive Baker wanted to keep him, but there was no room and he was sent to Class AAA Louisville, where he hit .281.

Quote of the day

"There are not easy times, man. Guess what? You are getting paid to play and paid to come here and do your job, no matter where you are, up to the last minute you work. Isn't that how every job is?" — Baker on his team's work habits.