Juan Encarnacion is escorted off the field by Reds trainers after being hit on the right temple by a throw during batting practice. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        ANAHEIM, Calif. — The glut of Reds outfielders became a shortage in two days.

        On Saturday, Ken Griffey Jr. and Juan Encarnacion were both out of the lineup. Griffey mildly strained his right hamstring Friday night; Encarnacion was hit on the right temple with a ball during batting practice Saturday.

        Neither injury is thought to be serious. Griffey was available for emergency pinch-hitting duty. Encarnacion walked off the field under his own power but was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary CT scan. It was normal.

        Both players are listed as day-to-day.

        Encarnacion was running the bases after his first round of hitting when he was struck by a ball thrown by Reds second baseman Todd Walker.

        Griffey was replaced in Saturday's lineup by the newest Red, Russell Branyan, who was used as the designated hitter. Reggie Taylor started for Encarnacion in center field.

        “Luckily, we made a deal,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.

        Branyan was officially 0-for-3, but he drove in two runs with a sacrifice fly and a groundout.

        “I'll take it,” Branyan said.

        BRANYAN'S ROLE: Branyan, acquired from Cleveland on Friday, arrived at Edison Field about two hours before game time Saturday.

        Boone almost immediately pulled Branyan into his office to spell out his role after the interleague interlude.

        “We talked a little bit about it,” Branyan said. “I was curious, because everyone in the outfield is doing well. He told me I'm going to be used off the bench. They'll monitor how I play and go from there.”

        Branyan gives the Reds something they didn't have: a left-handed power bat off the bench.

        Branyan will get some time as Aaron Boone's backup at third base. Branyan also can play left field, right field and first base.

        “I wanted to be upfront with him,” Bob Boone said. “He's in a bench role. How much you play when you're in that role depends on what you do.”

        Branyan was OK with the role as defined.

        “I'm excited,” he said. “I think it will be good for me.”

        Branyan was hitting .205 with eight home runs and 17 RBI for the Indians.

        CATCHING DECISION: The Reds have to make a major roster decision by Wednesday. That's when time runs out on Kelly Stinnett's rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville.

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden didn't sound very high on either of the two easy moves — sending Corky Miller back to Louisville or going with three catchers.

        “Corky's done a tremendous job,” Bowden said. “Sending him out would be a last resort. Going to three catchers is very unlikely. That would be difficult.”

        Another alternative is to trade one of the three. Jason LaRue's stock is probably higher than Stinnett's because Stinnett is coming off an elbow injury and makes $1 million a year. LaRue makes $305,000.

        DUNN DOWN ON DH: Adam Dunn went 2-for-4 Friday, his first night as a DH for the Reds, but he didn't give the role good reviews.

        “It's terrible,” he said. “It's like a day off, but you can't relax. It takes a special mentality.”

        With Griffey and Encarnacion out, Dunn was back in left field.

        “They got to get the Gold Glove back out there,” he said.

        Dunn was being facetious, but had he been in left instead of Austin Kearns on Friday, he might have caught Garret Anderson's ball that turned into a two-run double.

        The 6-foot-6 Dunn is 3 inches taller than Kearns. “And faster,” Dunn said. The ball flew about 2 inches over Kearns' glove.

        SUPER BARGAIN: The Reds' starting outfield Saturday — Dunn, Taylor and Kearns — will earn a total of $650,000 for the season. Dunn makes $250,000. Kearns and Dunn make the $200,000 minimum.

        REHAB REPORT: Bowden said John Riedling, a hard-throwing right-hander, is getting close to being ready for the majors. Riedling has been pitching at Triple-A Louisville.

        “His last two outings have been really impressive,” Bowden said. “We think he's a week to 10 days from being ready.”

        The news is not so good on left-hander Lance Davis, who won eight games for the Reds last year.

        “He has not thrown well,” Bowden said. “It's disappointing.”

        Davis is 1-2 with a 6.84 ERA at Louisville.

        As for right-hander Seth Etherton, who was moved from Double-A Chattanooga to Louisville on Wednesday, the results have been good, but the timetable is longer.

        “He's thrown extremely well,” Bowden said. “But we're not sure when he'll be ready. I would think around the All-Star break.”
       UP NEXT: The Reds play the finale of the three-game series in Anaheim at 4:05 p.m. Sunday. today. Reds right-hander Joey Hamilton (3-3, 4.47 ERA) faces Angels left-hander Scott Schoeneweis (4-4, 4.77). The game is on Fox Sports Net.

Reds 4, Angels 3 Reds box, runs Reds Q & A Encarnacion fitting right in with Reds Encarnacion hit by ball in practice Griffey's hamstring injury not too serious Reds chatter Cinergy Moment No. 24. - July 22, 1986 Down on the farm Louisville 9, Pawtucket 0 Ramirez closer to returning to Red Sox Saturday roundup John Fay's MLB rankings Notes from Saturday's games

Milford makes statement
Time for football in June
7 athletes strong, Middies win title
Area runners come close, fall short
CovCath exploits LexCath errors
Richards finishes run to the top
Sycamore stopped 1 step from title
Norwood star signs with UC
Prep schedules
McDuffie sues Dolphins doctors
Born to be rivals, they fought for keeps too late
Lewis knocks out Tyson
Marion Jones wins 100 easily into tough wind
Saturday's NCAA Super Regionals
Croatia stuns Italy
U.S. team to enter red cauldron against South Korea
World Cup TV schedule
Attendance, handle records smashed at Belmont Stakes
War Emblem falls short in Triple Crown bid
Defense making the difference for Lakers
Nets hope familiar surroundings help Martin, Van Horn
Nets shooting woes have to end
Da Matta gets first pole at Monterey
GROESCHEN: Cup drivers to highlight Busch race
Marlin shows speed at drying Pocono
Montoya beats Schumacher in record qualifying
Ward wins Boomtown 500
Daniel on verge of major victory
Golf scores
Hiring Trottier a gutsy move
Lidstrom, Hedican win ironman awards
Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2, 3 OT
Ferrero, Costa meet in all-Spanish final
Serena 'one-hit wonder' no more
At home on the high seas
Coming up this week
Enquirer Page Two power rankings

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