Notes: Gonzalez to undergo MRI

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Alex Gonzalez is slated to undergo an MRI on his left knee on Monday night, the Reds shortstop said.

Gonzalez didn't start a game after Sept. 12 of last season because of a bone bruise in the same knee but appeared as a pinch-hitter in five games. The 31-year-old showed no obvious signs of the injury but has worn a wrap on the knee under his uniform pants.

"It's just to make sure it's nothing," Gonzalez said of the test. "I feel good taking ground balls. I don't feel anything moving side to side. I feel it when I step hard running."

In 110 games last season, Gonzalez batted .272 with 16 home runs, 55 RBIs and tied for the club lead with 27 doubles.

An MRI was ordered on Gonzalez near the end of the 2007 season and it ruled out a serious injury. He did rehabilitation in Miami, and also participated in some Winter League games in Venezuela. He said there were no issues until the last game he played.

"I played winter ball a little bit and checked with two doctors in Venezuela," Gonzalez said. "They didn't find anything. The ligament is fine. It's not swelling."

Gonzalez also passed his physical last week when the full squad reported to Spring Training.

The 2007 season was a difficult one for personal reasons for Gonzalez. He missed 28 games over three stints on the bereavement or restricted lists while his infant son, Johan, was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness. He has declined to discuss the specifics, but it seems as if his son's condition is more optimistic.

"Right now it's good," Gonzalez said.

Shortstop locked up: Before anything was known about Gonzalez's knee Monday morning, manager Dusty Baker was asked if there was any chance that utility infielder Jeff Keppinger could challenge for the starting shortstop's job.

Keppinger was a nice surprise last season while batting .332 in 67 games and playing good defense. He started at five different positions, including 43 at shortstop.

But Baker made it clear that the shortstop job belongs to Gonzalez.

"You don't get any better defensively than Gonzalez," Baker said. "Keppinger is a good player, but Gonzalez has more range. Gonzalez is one of the top shortstops in baseball to me. Keppinger did a fine job and you like having a guy like Keppinger on your team. He's working out at first base, second base, third base and shortstop. I know he can hit and he knows he can hit."

Got a lineup yet? Baker received his first batch of lineup cards and had the blank cards on his desk. He said it was too early to start naming his likely batting order, but the thinking has begun.

"It usually comes to you in the night," Baker said. "[I think], 'This guy is going to be a good hitter in this position, or if he's not playing, I'll have a different lineup over here. It's, 'Who can run?'

"I don't have a lot of speed. I just put them in my head so far. It probably won't be a lot of different than last year. Without Josh Hamilton, it's different."

One place Baker plans to seriously mull over is who will bat second, which he considers as important as the leadoff spot.

"That's a big, big spot in your lineup," Baker said. "It's a smart spot. It's a contact spot. It's a move-the-ball-around spot. It's an unselfish spot. You don't want it to be a power guy up there taking [pitches]. You hope it's like Gonzalez [or] Keppinger if they're playing, maybe [Scott] Hatteberg."

Transactions: On Monday, the Reds signed Keppinger, reliever Marcus McBeth and pitcher Ramon Ramirez to one-year contracts.

Finally, games: The Reds will hold their intrasquad scrimmage at 12:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday inside Ed Smith Stadium. Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo are among several pitchers that will get one inning of work in the 5 1/2-inning game.

Miracle League: In a fundraising campaign, the Miracle League of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are offering commemorative bricks for $100 each or pavers for $250. The bricks and pavers will be displayed prominently at the site of area's first Miracle League field in the Oskamp Recreation Area in Western Hills.

The Miracle League offers a special field that allows children with disabilities to play baseball. The local chapter is supported by the Reds Community Fund. For more information about the brick program, call (513) 739-1115 or visit www.MiracleLeagueGreaterCincinnatiNorthernKentucky.org.