Jose Rijo learned after Saturday's game that his grandfather had died that day. He left immediately to return home to the Dominican Republic. It is not yet certain when he'll return.

Ken Griffey, Jr. throws his batting helmet after making an out in the first inning. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Boone said he will meet today with general manager Jim Bowden and pitching coach Don Gullett to discuss Rijo's spot in the rotation.

        “That next start will be a "TBA' one,” Boone said.

        Reversing what he said Saturday, Boone said he would consider using today's off day to bring the other starters back on four days' rest and skip Rijo's spot in the rotation.

        Where would Rijo go if pulled from the rotation? The bullpen? Triple-A?

        “I want to talk with him,” Boone said. “We're discussing a bunch of things right now.”

        CASEY WAITS: Casey, who left Saturday's game with tightness in his right hamstring, was kept out of the starting lineup Sunday. He struck out while pinch hitting in the seventh inning.

        It's not yet determined if Casey will be ready to start Tuesday.

        “There's no way it's what it was last time,” Casey said, referring to when he pulled the hamstring a couple of weeks ago. “I just kind of aggravated it.”

        GRIFFEY STRUGGLES: Ken Griffey Jr. went 0-for-3 Sunday, dropping his average to .200. He has just one hit in his last 18 at-bats, a bunt single Friday, and is 3-for-23 (.130) since returning from the disabled list May 24.

        KAZMIR WORKS OUT: Left-handed high school pitcher Scott Kazmir, whom the Reds are considering with their No.3 overall selection in the draft Tuesday, worked out for team officials after Sunday's game. The Houston native threw for 10-15 minutes on the Cinergy Field mound.

        DOWN ON THE FARM: Lance Davis had his worst outing for Triple-A Louisville in an 8-2 loss Saturday at Toledo. He surrendered seven runs in two innings; he's now 1-2 with a 6.84 ERA. Ruben Mateo hit a two-run home run and is batting .390 with three homers since being optioned to Louisville May 20.

        Chattanooga right-hander Scott Dunn (3-3, 4.76) gave up seven runs in four innings in a 7-3 loss at Huntsville. Bobby Darula, who grounded out as a pinch-hitter, had his hitting streak snapped at 14 games. Darula (.329) hit .358 during his streak.

        Andy Boutwell was the winning pitcher in Single-A Dayton's 7-3 victory against Beloit. Boutwell (4-0) ranks third in the Midwest League with a 1.91 ERA.

        BENGAL BATTER: Bengals running back Corey Dillon will take batting practice with the Reds before Tuesday's game. He'll be accompanied by Bengals quarterback Akili Smith. It is unclear whether Smith, a former Pittsburgh Pirates farmhand, will also take BP.

        UP NEXT: The Reds are off today and continue their homestand Tuesday with the first of three games against St. Louis.

        The first-game matchup is Reds right-hander Joey Hamilton (3-2, 3.83) vs. St. Louis right-hander Jason Simontacchi (3-0, 2.73). Hamilton pitched six scoreless innings to get the win in an 8-2 victory last Wednesday at Florida.

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