By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HOUSTON - Todd Van Poppel is gone, and it doesn't look like Albie Lopez will be replacing him any time soon.

The Reds designated Van Poppel for assignment Thursday, which means they have 10 days to trade him, re-assign him or release him. The move was made to open a roster spot for Kent Mercker, who was activated off the disabled list.

Mercker allowed one hit and no runs in one inning Thursday.

Van Poppel, who was released by the Texas Rangers on June 4, pitched in four games for the Reds. He gave up eight runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

He allowed four runs in one inning in Wednesday's 12-2 loss to the Houston Astros.

"It wasn't the nail (in the coffin)," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "We were looking at (the move) before the game. He did some things well. He was getting more tilt on his breaking ball. But he threw it right down the pipe twice. That didn't help."

Lopez was trying to follow Van Poppel's route to the Reds - released player to big-league roster.

He threw a bullpen session for Boone and pitching coach Don Gullett Tuesday and was supposed to throw again Thursday. But a sore elbow prevented him from doing so.

"They aren't going to sign me with a sore elbow," Lopez said as he left Minute Maid Park. "They want me to come back when I'm not sore."

Boone said nothing concrete had been set up.

"I don't know," he said. "We'll see."

Lopez, a 31-year-old right-hander, was released by Kansas City June 18. He was 4-2 with a 12.74 ERA when he was released. He had allowed 42 hits and walked 17 in 22 2/3 innings.

DUSTY NOTE: Scott Williamson and Jose Guillen received letters from National League All-Star manager Dusty Baker congratulating them on a good season and saying they had been considered for the All-Star Game.

Baker should send Guillen another letter explaining why he picked Kenny Lofton over Guillen to replace the injured Corey Patterson on the ballot for the final spot on the NL squad.

Lofton, the Pirates' center fielder, is hitting .282 with nine home runs and 25 RBI. Guillen is hitting .335 with 17 homers and 45 RBI.

Milwaukee's Geoff Jenkins ended up winning the vote for the final spot.

CASEY IN: Sean Casey was back in the lineup after missing Wednesday's game with a slightly pulled groin.

"It feels good," Casey said. "I'm going to go out early and run."

He felt fine after some pregame running and agility drills, so he was put in the lineup.

NICE OUTINGS: Dustin Moseley held his own quite nicely in his Triple-A debut. Moseley went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, in Louisville's 5-4 win over Ottawa on Wednesday.

Moseley, a 21-year-old right-hander, was a first-round pick in 2000.

Another pitcher to watch is 24-year-old right-hander Daylan Childress. He pitched six innings of one-hit, shutout ball in Single-A Potomac's 1-0, 15-inning victory over Wilmington. Childress, the fifth-round pick in 2001, is 5-1 with a 1.86 ERA in his last seven starts after beginning the season 0-8.

LARKIN OUT: Boone was planning on resting Barry Larkin Thursday night anyway. That Larkin tweaked his knee Wednesday cemented the decision.

"He looked like he needed a day off," Boone said.

Larkin, who ended up pinch hitting Thursday, has played in 24 of 25 games since returning from the disabled list June 13.

INJURY UPDATE: Austin Kearns and Jason LaRue, both nursing bad shoulders, were out of the lineup again Thursday.

Boone said Kearns will not start any of the three games leading to the All-Star break, but he's available as a backup.

LaRue might start one of the three games in Milwaukee.