By John Erardi and John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's game

Of course the thought crossed Ryan Dempster's mind: wouldn't it have crossed yours if you made your living with your throwing arm?

"You start wondering, 'Is this going to be something that they'll never be able to figure out what it is?' " Dempster said.

Today, after a 15-day stay on the disabled list, Dempster will be reinstated and is scheduled to start against Toronto, his first since May 22.

If he comes back strong, it will be a heck of a lift for the Reds, who are hanging near the leaders in the National League Central Division.

"We went through three MRIs, saw a neurologist, were doing all these tests and not finding anything for the longest time . . . That kind of worries you," Dempster said.

Careers have been ended by such mysteries.

The whole thing started when Dempster couldn't maintain a grip on the ball, and it was only made worse the more he threw. He just assumed it was just a "dead arm" and would go away. He had no strength in his hand and arm. He had a sore bicep and forearm.

It turned out to be an inflamed nerve in the right side of his neck.

"I'm excited to come off the DL, because for the first time, really since spring training, I feel good," he said.

Nobody knows what caused the inflamed nerve.

"The doctor said it could be caused by a virus, a cold, tweaking it pitching - they don't really know," Dempster said. "All they know is that it's something that caused inflammation around that nerve. . . . It's the nerve that controls strength in your hand and your arm."

GRAVES SKIPPED? The blister that forced Danny Graves to leave his start against the New York Yankees after three innings Thursday could cost him his next start.

The Reds are leaning toward skipping Graves. That would give him nine days for the blister to heel.

"No decision's been made," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "But I have the ability to put him on the back end (because of an off day Monday)."

In the meantime, the Reds are searching for an answer. The blister developed under the nail of Graves' middle finger. Boone said Dr. Tim Kremchek talked to plastic surgeons, but none had an answer.

Boone may give Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan a call.

"He had trouble with blisters early in his career," Boone said. "He got over it. Maybe we should call him."

Graves was going to try soaking the finger in pickle juice, an old remedy.

NO JUNIOR: Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the lineup Friday night. It wasn't because of the strained right biceps he suffered Wednesday night.

"He's pretty sick," Boone said.

Griffey will be back in the starting lineup today, if he's better.

LARKIN UPDATE: Barry Larkin took live batting practice for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained right calf May 22.

"There's no timetable," Boone said of Larkin's possible return.

"It's getting a little better," Larkin said.

FARM REPORT: Jimmy Anderson improved his record to 5-1 with a 2-1 victory over Richmond for Louisville Thursday. Anderson allowed an unearned run on four hits.

UP NEXT: The Reds play the Blue Jays at 7:10 p.m. today.

Dempster (1-4, 7.62 ERA) faces left-hander Doug Davis (3-3, 5.06 ERA). Dempster was 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in two starts at Louisville.