Pokey Reese was out of the lineup Wednesday for the fourth straight game. Whether that's because he's injured or because he has lost his job to Juan Castro is open to debate.

        Reese had an MRI on his right shoulder, and it was negative.

        “It's not a big issue,” Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek said. “He's day-to-day.”

        Asked if his shoulder was hurt, Reese said: “I don't know. I don't want to talk about it.”

        Castro was starting at shortstop before Reese hurt the shoulder.

        Reese has not had a hit in his last 11 at-bats. He is hitting .228 overall and .205 since May 30.

        He has said he wants out of Cincinnati, but his trade value would seem minimal given his recent performance.

        “We're not going to give him away,” Reds manager Jim Bowden said. “He's too good of a player.”

        Reese put up solid numbers in 1999 — .285 average, 10 home runs, 52 RBI, 38 steals. Last year, he slipped to a .255 average, 12 home runs, 46 RBI and 29 steals. He won a Gold Glove at second base both seasons.

        The Reds offered Reese a four-year, $25-million deal in April. He turned it down and requested a trade.

        “It was a wish, not a demand,” Bowden said. “We tried to work a deal, but we couldn't get equal value.”

        The sides have not talked about a contract since. Reese is eligible for arbitration again this year, which probably would mean a hefty raise from his $3.2 million salary.

        The Reds have a solid-hitting second baseman in Todd Walker, and Barry Larkin is expected to return to shortstop next year. Can the financially strapped Reds afford to pay a player $5 million or $6 million a season if he hits below .230?

        “Pokey Reese will bounce back,” Bowden said. “He is capable of hitting .270 with 12 to 15 home runs and 30 stolen bases.”

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