ST. LOUIS – Jose Barrero is viewed as the Cincinnati Reds' shortstop of the future, but excuse him for finding a way to contribute immediately.
Barrero, a 23-year-old from Cuba, spent all season biding his time for an opportunity. After playing in 24 big-league games last year, he started the year in Double-A. He hit his way to Triple-A. He spent the last four days on the taxi squad.
On Friday, he welcomed himself back to the big leagues with a go-ahead RBI double in the top of the ninth inning and he scored a key insurance run afterward to lift the Reds to a 4-2 victory over the St.