PHILADELPHIA — For the second time this season, manager Dusty Baker believes Jay Bruce needs The View From the Dugout.
And Bruce's dwindling .209 batting average suggests he is right. So Bruce wasn't in Thursday's lineup and may not be in it the next two days when the Cincinnati Reds are in New York.
Baker also called Bruce into his office for a closed-door session early Thursday.
"Just want him to clear his head, much like the Phillies did with Jimmy Rollins and the Tigers did with Magglio Ordonez," said Baker. "I'm giving him today and (tonight) off to clear himself.
"He can study our guys — who is hitting and who is not and why — and he can study their guys like Chase Utley and Ryan Howard," Baker added. "He can see how they approach things, how they set up.
"Sometime you get in that funnel, man, and it's like being in a tornado," he said. "And as I told Bruce, 'You didn't get in this in a month and you're not going to get out of it in a month.' It's a slow, steady process in trying to recall what your mind-set was when you thought nobody could get you out."
Bruce doesn't agree and said, "I might come out of it in one day."
With the season half over and his average threatening the Mendoza line, Bruce agrees that, "I'm pressing at times. I'm definitely making no excuses for my struggles, but I'm definitely a lot better than I've been showing.
"It's learning, especially since never in my life have I struggled with anything and in the long run it is going to help me," Bruce added. "From time to time, it's ugly. But it is all about making adjustments and learning what it takes to be successful. I'm still very confident in my ability."
Amazingly, while he is hitting .209, he does have 18 homers, nearly one-third of his hits.
"Crazy game," said Bruce, shaking his head. "You have to have a short memory in this game. Mentally puts you into slumps more than physicall and at this point for me it is mental."
Reds sign K. Wells
The Reds signed pitcher Kip Wells to a minor-league contract and assigned the 32-year-old righthander to Class AAA Louisville.
Wells was designated for assignment by Washington on June 24 after he was 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in 23 bullpen appearances, then released Monday.
The 11-year veteran was a starter for nine years with the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh, Texas and St. Louis before Colorado placed him in the bullpen in 2008. His career record is 65-96 with a 4.71 ERA in 279 appearances, 205 starts.
Action for Janish
Paul Janish was at shortstop Thursday in place of Jerry Hairston and Baker said, "Janish needs to play some and Hairston has been playing every day," said Baker. "Hairston will play the last three games (in New York this weekend) before the break."
Taking it hard
Catcher Ramon Herandez walked into Baker's office before Thursday's game and asked for Philadelphia's lineup card so he could go over hitters with pitchers Micah Owings.
As Hernandez left the office, Baker said, "Now there is a guy who takes losses hard. It even takes it personally when the other team scores runs. And he is the happiest man in the world when he calls a shutout. That's how you want your catcher to be."
Quote of the day
"When Hank Aaron batted, pitchers couldn't tell if he was awake or asleep at the plate, then all of a sudden, 'Pow!'" — Baker, talking about different approaches
