By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

MILWAUKEE - The health of Austin Kearns' injured right shoulder continues to concern the Reds.

The outfielder, bothered by the injury since colliding with Braves pitcher Ray King on May 21, did not start in any of the Reds' final seven games before the All-Star break.

"I'm pretty concerned with Austin," manager Bob Boone said. "He's feeling better as far as walking around, but he knows it's kind of there."

Kearns is scheduled to be re-evaluated when the team returns Thursday, and a move to the disabled list remains a possibility.

Kearns said Sunday he would not object to going on the DL if trainers feel it's in his best interest.

"Obviously we're hoping the three days off helps it feel a lot better," Reds head trainer Mark Mann said. "But we'll make the decision (Thursday) on what course of action we'll take."

Though an MRI performed earlier this month was normal, Kearns' stats suffered after the collision.

He hit .309 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 45 games before it happened. In 37 games since, Kearns batted .208 with 2 homers and 14 RBI.

"I don't know if it's gotten any better," he said. "I've been in shut-down mode. We'll see what they say when I get checked out."

LIMPING GRIFFEY: Just when his bat was coming to life, Ken Griffey Jr. limped into the All-Star break on Sunday.

The Reds center fielder was held out of the starting lineup because of tendinitis in his right foot.

Griffey first injured the foot when he stepped awkwardly on first base after hitting a home run Tuesday in Houston. He re-aggravated it while chasing after a Scott Podsednik fly ball during the ninth inning Saturday.

"It always happens (when I'm running hard)," said Griffey, who missed 33 games earlier this year with a dislocated right shoulder suffered while diving for a fly ball. "I just stopped and hit my heel. But it's starting to come around."

X-rays taken late in the week were negative and it is not expected to limit Griffey, who had been powering his way to the break.

His ninth-inning homer Saturday was his fifth in as many games, tying the club record set by Johnny Bench in 1972.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, the streak did not end when he walked as a pinch hitter in the ninth Sunday, because he didn't have an official at-bat in the game.

"People don't realize how tough that is to do on back-to-back days," said Griffey.

BEHIND THE PLATE: Jason LaRue, who's missed 12 of the last 13 games with a bruised left shoulder, is expected to be ready when the Reds return from the All-Star break. The catcher was hit by a pitch June 29.

"Almost all of his strength has returned," Mann said. "He still has some soreness. Hopefully the three days will take care of that and he can be able to catch Thursday night."

NOT SO FAST: The Reds' four-man rotation may not be a memory quite yet.

Paul Wilson will start Thursday and could return on three days rest to pitch Monday.

"We really don't have to make that decision until that fifth day," Boone said. "But that's one of the alternatives. Right now I'm leaning toward going to the fifth guy."

The fifth starter could come from either the bullpen or a trade.

ODDS AND ENDS: Relief pitcher Gabe White, on the disabled list with a strained left groin, will throw on the side either Wednesday or Thursday. White likely will make another rehabilitation start before he comes off the disabled list . . . Jose Guillen's solo homer in the fourth inning was his first since hitting two against the Mets on July 4 . . . The Reds are now 10-2 in extra-inning games this season.