Gonzalez to DH Again

Alex Gonzalez returned to game action after more than a year.

Gonzalez suffered a compression fracture in his left knee before exhibition games started last spring. Manager, Dusty Baker, in his first year did not get a chance to see Gonzalez play. He had seen him as an opponent but did not get the everyday look that a manager needs to make decisions.

"We will get him in at DH today, give him a day off, then get him in the field early next week," Baker said. "The hardest part about recovering from an injury is trusting it to realize you're over it."

Gonzalez was 1-for-2, a single against the Netherlands World Baseball Classic team on Wednesday night.

"Finally, it felt good to get at bats," Gonzalez said. "I just feel a little tightness in the muscle but if I keep doing what I've been doing, I'll be ready to start the season. I want to get out on the field."

Jay Bruce hit his second opposite field home run in two days against the Netherlands. The home run Wednesday came off Cincinnati farmhand, Alexander Smit.

Juan Carlos Sulbaran pitched for the Netherlands. He was the Reds 30th roung pick in 2008. This is his first full year of professional baseball.

"He's got a good breaking ball , a good change up. He threw the ball good," Baker said.