The first hitter of the first spring training game meant Dusty Baker’s first look at Shin-Soo Choo in a Reds uniform. The fate of the team’s new leadoff hitter and starting center fielder hogged a significant chunk of the spotlight leading up to Friday’s debut against the Indians.

It couldn’t have gone any smoother. Choo drew a walk on four pitches, moved to second on a single off the bat of Brandon Phillips, then came home when Joey Votto singled to center.

Following Choo’s lead, Cincinnati ran out to a 5-0 lead only to lose 11-10 when the Indians scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth.

The Reds had 13 hits, but Choo was blanked, making outs in his other two plate appearances.

So, was Baker geared up to finally see the Korean star in action?

Not exactly.

“I’m just interested in getting my team together as soon as possible. I’m asked every day about (different players). Are you excited about Choo playing?” Baker said. “I don’t get excited. You’ve got too far to go to get excited. I’ll be excited out if I get that excited before we start. Just go play.”

While Baker might have guarded his optimism, many around the organization believe Choo could be the missing piece to a lineup that was already among the National League’s best.

General Manager Walt Jocketty’s deal for what could be just a single season of Choo is a calculated gamble predicated on a belief that the Reds can make a run at a World Series title.

And Jocketty said he’s had few reservations about Choo’s shift from right field back to center, where he played in the Seattle organization.

“Physically, watching him perform in right field, he has the speed and the ability to go from side to side. We thought he’d be able to adapt back to center. We’ve got good outfield instructors, too, in Billy Hatcher and Eric Davis,” Jocketty said. “We feel very confident that he’ll be able to play there. He’s in very good shape, and he works hard.”

Of concern is Choo’s struggle against left-handed pitching. Last season with Cleveland, he hit .199 against southpaws, and his career mark is 58 points higher against righties.

“In spring training we need to focus on getting him a lot of at-bats against left-handed pitching, whether it’s in games or in batting practice, to work on that,” Jocketty said, adding that he’s waiting to see how the outfielder settles in with the club before initiating long-term contract talks with Choo’s agent, Scott Boras.

Meanwhile, Baker said he wasn’t planning to push things in the opener, with Choo or any of his players, and insisted he wouldn’t even give signs during Friday’s opener.

He did, however, use what would appear to be the team’s regular-season lineup, with Choo leading off, followed by Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce.

“I need to find out who can hit 3-and-0, who has the discipline, who knows how to steal, and then I’ll pull the reins in,” Baker said.

Big-sky country: Much is made of the “high sky” in Arizona, where the bright sun and cloudless landscape can make tracking fly balls a chore.

Baker said Friday morning he gives players a little leniency when it comes to misplayed balls through the spring.

“Oh, it’s terrible. It’s hard to judge a guy here. I told our outfielders, if you can play outfield here, you can play it anywhere,” Baker said. “Not only do you have high skies, you have sun and you have wind upon occasion. And you’ve got a big outfield, bigger than most places you’re gonna play. You’ll see guys every day losing balls.”

Outfielder Derrick Robinson, who was signed by the Reds to a minor-league contract after seven seasons in the Royals organization, said the setting can play tricks on those who are unfamiliar.

“It’s something you’ve got to get used to. Sometimes it gets like a white background instead of a blue sky,” Robinson said. “There are no clouds and there’s nothing to help. It’s hard to find that ball.”

It’s not much easier for infielders, who deal with rock-hard surfaces.

Robinson, who has stolen 314 bases in the minors, said he’s OK with the fast track.

“For a guy like me, I love it. It helps my game. I like to hit on the ground and run,” he said. “But the infielders, they hate it.”

Francona’s first: Mike McDade’s three-run double with one out in the bottom of the ninth gave Cleveland manager Terry Francona a win in his first game as a manager since the end of the 2011 season, when he parted ways with Boston after winning two World Series titles with the Red Sox.

Reds pitchers took a beating. Starter Tony Cingrani and reliever Curtis Partch both got roughed up. Cingrani labored through a three-run first inning while Partch gave up four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings.

On deck: Alfredo Simon is scheduled to start today for the Reds, and he’s expected to be followed by four other right-handers, all former Dayton Dragons: Daniel Corcino, Nick Christiani, Chad Rogers and Drew Hayes. Cleveland will counter with Brett Myers, who has been pushed back into a starting role this spring after working as a reliever with Houston and White Sox last year.