By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A second MRI performed on Ryan Dempster's right elbow Friday revealed a bone chip that will require arthroscopic surgery next week.

The Reds pitcher, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

"Just feeling the way I've been feeling this year, it didn't really surprise me," Dempster said. "It's unfortunate. I was hoping for better news, but I've got to deal with it. The nice part is I've got a lot of things on my side: youth, work ethic and stuff like that."

Right-hander Josh Hall will be called up from Double-A Chattanooga to start in Dempster's place against the Giants today at Great American Ball Park. It will be Hall's major-league debut.

Hall, 22, was 6-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 20 starts and one relief appearance for the Lookouts this season. A seventh-round pick by the Reds in the 1998 draft, he was 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA with 27 strikeouts and seven walks in his last three starts at Chattanooga.

In Hall's last appearance, on Monday - his first as a reliever this season - he allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings.

"I'm kind of excited for Josh," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "He's a guy who has come through the organization. The numbers he put up were outstanding.

"From the reports from the guys down in Chattanooga, this guy has got pretty good stuff."

This could be a one-time deal for Hall because the Reds will not be in need of a fifth starter until Aug. 9.

Among those considered along with Hall for the start was Brandon Claussen, who was traded from the Yankees on Thursday. The left-hander took a line drive off his shin in his final start for Triple-A Columbus.

Dempster, who threw 200 innings or more in each of the past three seasons, missed time earlier this season with an inflamed nerve in his neck. He is 3-7 with a 6.54 ERA in 22 starts and one relief appearance.

"Hopefully they can get (the bone chip) out and it's a quick heal," Dempster said. "But with only two months left to go, it'd be tough to see myself going back (to the active roster)."