General manager Jim Bowden indicated that left-hander Hector Mercado, who already has served one stint with the Reds, could return from Triple-A Louisville to bolster the bullpen against the St. Louis Cardinals.

        Left-handed relievers could prove essential as the Reds confront St. Louis each of the next two weekends. The Cardinals' lineup features potent left-handed batters such as J.D. Drew, Jim Edmonds and Ray Lankford.

        Bowden pointed out that the Reds will need left-hander Dennys Reyes, who hasn't pitched since May 13 and was expected to rejoin the team Wednesday. Added Bowden, “That's why we have to consider bringing Hector up for that series, with or without Dennys.”

        Since the Reds currently have a 12-man pitching staff, one more than many teams use, they'd probably demote a pitcher to make room for Mercado. Possibilities include returning either Brian Reith or Scott Winchester to the minors or placing Reyes on the disabled list if he's deemed unfit to perform.

        Mercado was 1-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 11 appearances for Cincinnati before being optioned to Triple-A Louisville on May 15. Since players must remain in the minors for at least 10 days after being sent down, the Reds could recall Mercado in time for the Cardinals series starting Friday. Entering Wednesday, Mercado was 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in five games for Louisville.

        REYES SHUT DOWN: Reyes' anticipated return Wednesday was delayed, but Bowden said it didn't matter because he won't pitch until Friday at the earliest.

        Bowden asked Reyes if he wanted to go on the disabled list before Reyes returned to his home in Higuera de Zaragoza, Mexico, last Sunday to visit a trusted therapist for treatment on his elbow and to attend to personal matters.

        “He said, "No, I'm able to pitch,'” Bowden said. “If this guy can help him, great. He's not a voodoo doctor; he's not a regular doctor; he's some kind of therapist who has some kind of special way of doing something to him. Medically, Dennys is fine. He probably has a little bit of tendinitis, but not enough to disable him.”

        REESE HURT AGAIN: Pokey Reese, who would have started his third game in a row at shortstop, was scratched from the lineup with soreness in his right forefinger and thumb.

        Reese blamed his discomfort on Wednesday's cold temperatures. He said his forefinger was sore in the area where he received a painkilling shot. Last Thursday and Friday, Reese was sidelined after suffering a cut on his right index finger while diving into first base to beat a pickoff attempt.

        Reese also reported that his thumb “vibrated” as he took a swing during batting practice. He still has a screw in the thumb, placed there after he tore his ulnar collateral ligament July 30, 1998.

        Left fielder Dmitri Young, who popped up as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning in his first appearance since bruising his knee Saturday, probably won't start today. “I'm not encouraged,” manager Bob Boone said of Young's condition.

        UP NEXT: Osvaldo Fernandez (5-2) will oppose right-hander Jon Lieber (3-3), one of Chicago's most polished pitchers. Lieber has 16 walks and 45 strikeouts in 63 innings.

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