Sports

CINCINNATI — Utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. headed to the disabled list with a mild right hamstring pull and a lesson learned.

"I've got to keep myself hydrated," Hairston said Thursday, July 17, before the Cincinnati Reds started their homestand against the New York Mets. "Dehydration again got me. I've got to make sure I keep plenty of fluids in me."

Hairston left Sunday's game against Milwaukee after he beat out a bunt in the third inning and was carried off the field.

"I knew I was hurt," he said. "When I went down, I didn't know if it was torn. I didn't know what. But it was a cramp that became a real bad strain."

The prognosis probably sounds better than many fans thought when Hairston was writhing on the turf. He said he'd try to be ready for the July 28 series opener at Houston.

"It's better to kind of take it easy, especially on a hamstring that's strained," Hairston said. "We'll try to get it right. Hopefully, it will be 100 percent in 10 days or so."

Hamilton swing 'like music'

Reds All-Star pitcher Edinson Volquez had a front-row seat for Josh Hamilton's epic Home Run Derby performance.

"He's unbelievable. He's got some power," Volquez said of the player he was traded for. "We were close to the home plate. You hear the ball (when Hamilton hit it). Oooh. Unbelievable. When he hit the ball, it sounded like music in your ear."

Gone fishin'

Reds manager Dusty Baker said his Wisconsin minivacation was great except that he didn't run into Brett Favre. It included a trip to Lambeau Field and a lot of fishing.

"I caught some walleye, some steelheads and caught some salmon," Baker said. "It was a good trip. A great trip.

"The birds woke me up every morning; I had my windows open. No sirens, no nothing. Just an occasional horn from a boat every now and then. Beautiful. Now it's time to go back to work."

Back down I-75

While Hairston went to the DL, infielder Jolbert Cabrera was back in the clubhouse after his successful (.364, 4 RBIs) rehab stint in Dayton.

"It was fun," Cabrera said of playing with the Class A Dragons. "We had a packed house every day."

Asked if he'd chance sliding headfirst — he had a compound dislocation of his left index finger — Cabrera said, "I don't know. Not right now, but when it's completely healed I'm going to forget and do it."

Patient report

• The Reds also reported that left-handed pitcher Bobby Livingston came off the DL and was optioned to Class AA Chattanooga. On Wednesday, Livingston earned a rain-shortened, eight-inning complete game for Class A Sarasota.

• The news was mixed on right-handed pitchers Jared Burton and Aaron Harang. About Burton and his pain in the lat muscle under his right arm, Baker said: "He looked good. We'll see how he responds (Friday) from (Thursday's tests).

Regarding Harang, who has a strained right forearm, Baker said: "Harang's a little bit off still. He still feels it a little bit. Fortunately for him and us, it's in the muscle, not in the joint."

Tonight's promotions

• From 5 to 7 p.m. in the Reds Hall of Fame, fans can mingle with returning Hall of Famers and 2008 inductees shortstop Barry Larkin, outfielder Cesar Geronimo and pitcher Joey Jay.

• The first 20,000 fans at today's game (7:10 p.m. — Bronson Arroyo vs. John Maine) will receive artwork recognizing Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Ken Griffey Jr. as Rawlings All-Time Gold Glove team members.

• During pregame ceremonies, Bench, Morgan and Griffey will be presented with trophies in recognition of making the Rawlings Gold Glove All-Time Team.

• A fireworks show will start about 15 minutes after the game.

Quote of the day

"The law of averages is on our side ... big-time," Baker said of facing Johan Santana and the Mets, who had won nine straight going into Thursday. "Might as well face the best right away ... especially when you don't have no choice."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951

or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.