By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Barry Larkin was out of the lineup again Thursday, as expected, but this could be more than a one- or two-day absence.

The inflammation in the scar tissue around the mesh used to repair Larkin's hernia two years ago continues to bother him.

It could land him on the disabled list for the third time this year.

"I don't know," Larkin said. "The way it is right now, I couldn't play."

Larkin will be re-evaluated by medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek today. He's been resting and taking anti-inflammatories.

Larkin is in uncharted territory here.

"It's bothered me before," he said. "But nothing of this magnitude."

Larkin was concerned enough to call him mother, Shirley, for advice.

"She's had three hernia surgeries," Barry said. "She's had complications, so I was talking to her about it. I don't know if it's hereditary or not."

If the problem persists, it could affect Larkin's decision on whether or not to retire. Larkin aggravated the scar tissue Aug. 5 during the first game of the series in Los Angeles.

"I fielded a ball from Kevin Brown a little to my right," he said. "I stutter-stepped and turned at the same time. That's when I felt it."

Larkin missed the next game, but started the next five.

DEAL COMPLETE: Right-hand pitcher Matt Belisle is the player-to-be-named-later in the Kent Mercker trade with Atlanta.

Belisle, 23, was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA for Triple-A Richmond. He was the Braves' second-round pick in the 1998 draft.

"I remember him from high school," special assistant Johnny Almaraz said. "He was a big, strong kid who threw hard. He slid because they were asking for a lot of money. The Braves didn't have a first-round pick, so they took him."

Belisle got a $1.7 million signing bonus - first-round money. He missed all of 2001 after back surgery.

He was 5-9 with a 4.35 ERA last year at Double-A Greenville. He started this year at Greenville and went 6-8 with a 3.52 ERA before being promoted.

Belisle was assigned to Louisville. Mark Budzinski was designated for assignment to make room.

NINE LIVE ARMS: Belisle is the seventh pitching prospect the Reds have obtained since July 29. They also are due two more players-to-be-named-later. Both will be pitchers.

CLAUSSEN IMPRESSIVE: Almaraz saw left-hander Brandon Claussen's last start for Triple-A Louisville Sunday and was impressed. Claussen, obtained in the Aaron Boone deal with the Yankees, is considered the best prospect among the pitchers the Reds received in the trades.

"He faced 23 batters and threw 21 first-pitch strikes," Almaraz said. "He was throwing 87 to 90 (mph). That's good for 14 months post-op. He's on a 90-pitch count. We're going to be very intelligent with him. He has a chance to be a front-line starter and help us next year."

Claussen had Tommy John surgery in June 2002.

FARM REPORT: Former top-round pick Ty Howington has had to shut it down at Double-A Chattanooga, but it is not shoulder or arm related.

"He has a blister/cut on his foot," director of player development Tim Naehring said. "He'll be all right. He'll miss a start or two."

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com