KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- One of five pitchers vying for the fifth starter's job will join the Houston Astros' rotation when camp breaks in five weeks, and the other four will be considered for the bullpen.

But in Tim Redding's case, he'd rather go to another team than make the Astros' Opening Day roster as a reliever.

Redding considers himself as a starter and shudders at the notion of going back and forth from the rotation to the pen like he did last year. If he doesn't win the fifth starter's job out of Spring Training, he plans to talk to Astros management about a possible change of scenery.

Redding was handed the No. 5 job last January, a full month before pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. Former manager Jimy Williams and former GM Gerry Hunsicker were hoping the club's vote of confidence would have a positive effect on Redding, who assumed before the announcement that he would compete with Jeriome Robertson for that final slot.

Instead, after a good spring, Redding struggled from Day 1 of the regular season. He was winless in April, allowing 14 earned runs over 21 1/3 innings.

News and features: • Astros notes: Pettitte gets in work on mound • Royals hold off Astros in spring finale • Astros finalize 25-man roster
Multimedia: • Reporter Alyson Footer on Andy Pettitte:  • Astros GM Tim Purpura:  • Astros 2B prospect Chris Burke:
Info:	Schedule  | Ballpark  |  Tickets MLB.com's complete coverage

"Last year, I came into spring relaxed because I already had the position," Redding said. "I pitched well, but once I got to the season, it was kind of like I had to justify the fact that they gave me this spot before spring. Spring stats don't really mean a lot. Instead of coming out of the gate throwing great, I put way too much on every pitch, on every outcome."

He improved dramatically in May, going 3-0 with a 2.62 ERA over six starts. He allowed 10 earned runs over 34 1/3 innings and ended the month with 7 1/3 shutout innings in a 7-1 win over the Cardinals.

"The second month, I just kind of laid back and let it happen," Redding said. "And the numbers happened like they should have."

It didn't last long. He was 0-3 with a 7.88 ERA in June and was demoted to the bullpen, where he had mixed success. He made two more starts toward the end of July, and after three ineffective relief appearances in August, he was sent to Triple-A until September, when he returned as a callup when rosters expanded.

Despite his struggles, Redding chalked '04 up to a "bad year" and would like the Astros to focus on his 2003, during which he was 10-14 with a respectable 3.68 ERA.

What he doesn't want is to pitch wondering if he's one home run away from bullpen duty.

"I'm just not ready to concede that I'm going to be a reliever from the beginning of the season," Redding said. "If that's the case, I don't want to be put in the bullpen as a reliever and then have them say, 'Oh, someone's struggling so now you can go start.' I'm not up for that.

"I'm not going to sit here and bounce back and forth and go start for a month, relieve for two months and then someone gets hurt and start again. On that note, I'd just as soon win a starting position on this team, and if they don't think I can start for them, they can move me to start somewhere else. I want to start."

And if the Astros tell him at the end of March that he's a reliever?

Tim Redding  /   P
		Born: 02/12/78 Height: 6'0" Weight: 200 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

"I'll say, 'Do whatever you can to move me.'"

General manager Tim Purpura refrained from relaying his feelings about Redding's comments through the media.

"I'd have to wait for Tim Redding to come and tell me that," Purpura said. "I don't want to speculate on how we would react to that situation. We're only a few days into camp right now.

"Tim's role right now, from my point of view, is he has to make the ballclub. After that, his role on the ballclub will be determined. As we've said all along, he's a candidate for the fifth starter's job."

The arbitration-eligible Redding is out of options on his contract, which means he has to either make the team out of Spring Training or go elsewhere via trade or release.

Of the other candidates up for the fifth starter's job -- Carlos Hernandez, Brandon Duckworth, Dave Burba and Pete Munro -- only Hernandez can be optioned to the minor leagues. Duckworth and Munro are in the same situation as Redding, while Burba is a non-roster invitee who can accept a minor league assignment if offered.