SARASOTA, Fla. — Reds pitcher and Gainesville High graduate Micah Owings, hampered by a shoulder strain after he was acquired from Arizona last season in the Adam Dunn trade, is hoping his pinch-hitting skills and now pain-free delivery will secure him a roster spot.

Manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Owings has looked sharp in recent throwing sessions. Owings says he’s healthy and able to throw hard.

The righthander, who was 8-8 with a 4.30 ERA in 2007 but slipped to 6-9 with a 5.93 ERA last year, is a candidate for the fifth spot in Cincinnati’s rotation.

Owings didn’t make any appearances for the Reds last season because of the hurt shoulder. But as a pinch-hitter, the career .319 hitter doubled in the deciding run for Cincinnati in a September win over the Diamondbacks.