by Ken Rosenthal

The Reds, securing protection at shortstop, have reached agreement with free agent Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year, $2 million contract.

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Hairston, 32, chose to remain with the Reds rather than sign with the Cardinals in part because he expects to play regularly at short, sources said.

The Reds remain concerned over the condition of shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who underwent surgery to repair a compression fracture in his left knee last July.

Hairston will open the season at short if Gonzalez is not ready. Otherwise, Hairston will fill a super-utility role similar to the one he played last season.

The Cardinals wanted Hairston to replace Aaron Miles in such a capacity. The Royals also showed interest in Hairston, but lacked the payroll flexibility to sign him.

Hairston had his own injury problems last season, making three trips to the disabled list — twice for a strained right hamstring and once for a fractured left thumb.

Only once has he appeared in more than 122 games in a season, in 2001 with the Orioles. He played in only 80 games last season, but established career highs with a .326 batting average, .384 on-base percentage and .487 slugging percentage.

His .427 OBP in the leadoff spot was second only to the Dodgers' Rafael Furcal among players who made a minimum of 150 plate appearances batting at the top of the order. Hairston also stole 15 bases in 18 attempts.