Dontrelle Willis was scratched from a start with Triple-A Louisville after Bronson Arroyo felt dizzy while throwing a bullpen session.

In other words, the Reds wanted a backup plan. However, Arroyo is OK and is expected to make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Cardinals. Willis has a 2.63 ERA over 13 starts at the Triple-A level this season, averaging 8.0 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. It's been a remarkable turnaround, but an injury would likely be the only way he contributes in the Reds' rotation.

Reds manager Dusty Baker indicated that Dontrelle Willis likely would have been recalled at this point if he wasn't dealing with groin and ankle issues.

The statement doesn't come as a surprise given the injuries the Reds are dealing with. "I've only got a few fingers left to put in the dike," Baker said. "... We're hoping he comes back soon. We sure could use him." Willis boasts a 2.63 ERA and 36/12 K/BB ratio over his first 41 innings with Triple-A Louisville this season. With Willis still sidelined, the Reds are expected to call up left-hander Jeremy Horst Saturday, with Chad Reineke getting the start Tuesday in Homer Bailey's place.

Dontrelle Willis will miss his next scheduled start with Triple-A Louisville due to a groin injury.

Bad timing, as he could have taken the place of Arolis Chapman on the active roster. Willis has a 2.63 ERA and 36/12 K/BB ratio over his first 41 innings with Triple-A Louisville this season. If he can stay healthy and keep pitching well, he could get another shot in the big leagues.

Dontrelle Willis pitched six scoreless innings Sunday in his first start for Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds gave Willis a long look as a reliever this spring, but he's back in the rotation in Triple-A and he came through with a very positive first outing, striking out five and walking just one.

Reds reassigned LHP Dontrelle Willis and OF Jeremy Hermida to minor league camp.

Both were non-roster invitees to camp. Willis put up a 9.31 ERA in seven spring training games and Hermida batted .342 with three homers. Both should be up later this season.

Dontrelle Willis retired just one of the seven batters he faced Wednesday, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks against the Padres.

He also chipped in a wild pitch just for good measure. Willis got off to a nice start this spring, but he's stunk the place up of late and now holds an 8.38 ERA and 8/8 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings. He certainly didn't help his chances of winning a spot in the bullpen with this effort.

Dontrelle Willis took the mound Thursday for the first time since spraining his ankle last Saturday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning against the Indians.

Although he didn't record any strikeouts, Willis did hit a triple. The lefty now has four holds this spring and has posted a 2.84 ERA through 6 1/3 innings, walking four batters in the process. Fighting to make the Reds as a left-handed reliever, he looks to be in good shape to get what could be his last shot in the big leagues.

Dontrelle Willis threw off the mound Monday for the first time since spraining his ankle on Saturday.

"I didn't see signs of anything and I was watching him closely when he was doing his bullpen," Reds manager Dusty Baker said Monday. "I didn't see him favoring anything when he shoved off, or anything." It's not clear when he'll return to Cactus League action. Willis, a non-roster invitee, has allowed six runs -- two earned -- with a 6/3 K/BB ratio over 5 1/3 innings of work this spring. He's trying to make the Reds as a reliever.

Dontrelle Willis doesn't expect to miss much time after suffering a sprained ankle when he stepped on a bat while backing up home plate in Saturday's game.

Willis, who is trying to make the Reds as a situational reliever, was at Reds camp today, walking around with a taped-up ankle. He's day-to-day.

Dontrelle Willis came out of Saturday's game after apparently tripping on a bat behind home plate.

Willis appeared to tweak his knee while backing up home plate on a two-run single. Jordan Smith replaced him in the contest.

Dontrelle Willis struck out three over two scoreless innings of work Tuesday.

Most importantly, he didn't issue any walks. "He was throwing that breaking ball for strikes at will," said Reds manager Dusty Baker. "When he does that, he's tough. He had better command than I remember him having when he was going good." Wills has not allowed an earned run over five innings of work this spring. He's going to have to keep it up to convince the Reds to carry a third left-hander out of the bullpen.

Dontrelle Willis yielded a pair of unearned runs in an inning against the Indians on Monday.

Willis allowed two hits, walked one and committed an error on a pickoff throw. It sounds like Dusty Baker is very much in his corner as he attempts to win a spot on the Reds as a lefty specialist, but the team already has Aroldis Chapman and Bill Bray ahead of him. They should have better options.

Dontrelle Willis returned to Reds camp Thursday.

The left-hander missed Wednesday's workouts because his wife was giving birth to a baby girl. Everything went well and Willis was back to his regular throwing program on Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old is competing for a bullpen gig.

Dontrelle Willis was not present at Reds' camp on Wednesday because his wife gave birth.

That's a pretty good excuse. Willis signed a minor league contract with the Reds in November and will attempt to earn a job as a left-hander reliever during spring training. The 29-year-old posted a 5.62 ERA and 47/56 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings between the Tigers and Diamondbacks last season.

Reds pitching coach Bryan Price has been impressed with Dontrelle Willis in throwing sessions this winter.

The Reds signed the enigmatic Willis to a minor league contract in November with the intent to use him as a reliever during spring training. Willis and Price both live in Scottsdale, so they've had a chance to work together over the winter. "I like what I see," Price said. "It's tough to evaluate just watching bullpens, but he is a dynamite young guy with a good approach. He's a unifying type of guy that brings people together with his great personality." The Reds will likely carry left-handers Aroldis Chapman and Bill Bray in their bullpen, so Willis has an uphill battle ahead of him this spring. Now 29 years old, Willis posted a 5.62 ERA and 47/56 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings between the Tigers and Diamondbacks last season.

Dontrelle Willis is amongst 14 players receiving non-roster invites to spring training with the Reds.

Joining Willis will be RHP Scott Carroll, RHP Jerry Gil, LHP Jeremy Horst, LHP Donnie Joseph, RHP Matt Klinker, RHP Justin Lehr, RHP Chad Reineke, C Chris Denove, C Devin Mesoraco, C Corky Miller, OF Danny Dorn, OF Jeremy Hermida and OF Dave Sappelt. The D-Train, for his part, will likely land at Triple-A Louisville while attempting to resurrect his career.

Reds pitching coach Bryan Price said Tuesday that he was impressed upon watching Dontrelle Willis' offseason workouts.

The two worked together for a couple of weeks this winter in Arizona. "He's been terrific," Price said. "I know he hasn't been terribly successful over the last couple of years. But standing behind him and seeing what I see, there's nothing to suggest any issue with stuff or command." If all goes well in spring training, Willis may find a spot in Cincy's bullpen.

Reds signed LHP Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract.

This is by no means an indication that LHP Arthur Rhodes is prepared to turn down his arbitration offer and elect free agency; the Reds are simply taking a flyer on the former phenom. Willis has a lot of work to do in the offseason if he expects to be on the team's opening day 25-man roster. The D-Train will likely be stationed at Triple-A Louisville and serve as an emergency minor league arm as he attempts to resurrect his career.

Dontrelle Willis has joined up with Triple-A Fresno.

Willis apparently hit 93 MPH in his last outing in Arizona and could join the Giants in September if he continues to make progress. The left-hander signed a minor league deal with San Francisco in mid-July.

Dontrelle Willis had to exit a rookie league start after facing just one batter Thursday due to a detached fingernail on his throwing hand.

The Giants singed the left-handed Willis to a minor league contract in mid-July after he was let go by the Diamondbacks. They've worked with him on changing his throwing motion and are hopeful that he will be able to contribute at the major league level before the 2010 season is through. This little fingernail incident should prove to be a minor bump in the road.