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Jocketty not strongly looking for right-handed bat

NEW YORK -- The Reds have become a left-handed-heavy roster this season due to injuries. Left fielder Ryan Ludwick is out until at least the All-Star break with a right shoulder injury sustained on Opening Day. And his replacement, Chris Heisey, has been on the disabled list since April 29 with a right hamstring strain. Heisey suffered a setback in the first game of his rehab assignment last week and is still at least a couple of weeks from returning.

Both Ludwick and Heisey are right-handed hitters. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty is not beating the bushes for a right-handed batter on the trade market to fill the void, however.

"We've looked at it," Jocketty said on Tuesday. "There is really nobody out there that would make much of a difference. We're just biding our time to see what happens."

Manager Dusty Baker has been patching together a combination in left field that's usually left-handed -- whether it's Xavier Paul or rookie Donald Lutz. Rookie Derrick Robinson is a speedy switch-hitter but is not known for having power. Most games, the only true right-handed hitter on the bench is one of the catchers -- Ryan Hanigan or Devin Mesoraco -- depending on who starts.

"It's been fine," Jocketty said. "It's not ideal, but Dusty has done a good job of managing it and getting the most out of guys in the right situations."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon.
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