By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Identifying the problem was easy for Felipe Lopez.

The greater challenge, however, has been correcting it to escape a nasty offensive slump.

"This is the toughest start ever in my career," the Reds' shortstop said. "I've just got to fight through it.

"I know at the end I'm going to come out on top. This stuff cannot get any worse."

Entering Thursday's game against the Yankees, Lopez was hitless and had struck out 13 times in his past 21 at-bats, the longest drought of his young career.

A 4-for-41 slide has dropped his season average to .209.

"I'm thinking too much," Lopez said. "Instead of going out there saying, 'Oh, I've got to get a hit. Is the crowd going to boo me?' I've just got to go out there and be like, 'Forget it. I'm going to do this for myself and the team, not for them.' "

The Reds must make a roster move Saturday when pitcher Ryan Dempster comes off the disabled list, and with a surplus of infielders on the 25-man roster, Lopez might be a candidate to be optioned.

General manager Jim Bowden chose not to discuss Lopez's status specifically.

"We're trying to win," Bowden said. "Whatever combination gives us the best chance to win we're going to put it out there."

Lopez was not in the starting lineup Thursday but spent several minutes chatting with Reds manager Bob Boone inside the Reds' clubhouse prior to batting practice.

"He's helping me, because he's been through it before," Lopez said. "He understands. He was just advising me on what he used to do to get out of a slump.

"I think I'm making this game tougher than it is. You've just got to keep it simple. It's just a game."

Enquirer reporter John Fay contributed to this report.