By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HOUSTON - Barry Larkin is prepared for the reality that his sprained left ring finger could end his season.

As for ending his career, he's not ready to address that yet.

"There's a possibility of surgery," he said. "If I have any kind of surgery, I'm sure there's a rehab period that's quite extensive.

"Hopefully, the MRI will come out OK and I won't need surgery."

There's a possibility that Larkin has played his last game for the Reds. His three-year contract expires after this season, and this is his third stint on the disabled list this year; he already has missed 58 games.

"I don't even want to think about the long-term now," Larkin said.

Larkin will be examined today and undergo the MRI. He injured his finger while swinging and missing on a pitch in the third inning of Friday's game.

"It didn't hurt," he said. "It felt weird. I said to the umpire, 'I think I dislocated my knuckle.' "

Larkin played the field in the bottom of inning.

"It kept feeling weird," he said. "I showed it to (trainer) Mark Mann when I got in. He said, 'You better see the doctor.' "

REITSMA'S ROLE: Chris Reitsma isn't sure if his closer role is permanent, but he's enjoying it while it lasts.

"It's great," he said. "I get a chance to help my ballclub win every day. I'm thankful they're giving me the ball in that situation."

Starter Danny Graves eventually might become a closer again, but there's no need to replace Reitsma right now. Since taking over for Scott Williamson as the primary closer, Reitsma has converted five of six save opportunities, including four straight.

Reitsma has been the Reds' best pitcher since June 1; he is 6-1 with a 1.69 ERA in 34 appearances over 44 2/3 innings since then.

Reitsma was once a reluctant reliever. He had been a starter his entire career until then-manager Bob Boone moved him to bullpen last year.

He was a candidate for the fifth starter spot this spring, but he lost out and began the season at Triple-A Louisville. Reitsma made three starts for the Reds this year before moving to the bullpen.

"I think it suits my personality better," he said of closing. "You come in to get three outs. You can be really aggressive. I love it."

Reitsma is still primarily a changeup-fastball pitcher. But he's mixing in a curveball more. And he has been able to bounce back and pitch several days in a row.

"It's a learning process," he said. "I don't feel any pain. I'm getting more and more comfortable with it."

TUESDAY'S STARTER: Reds manager Dave Miley is undecided on Tuesday's starter.

It won't be Dustin Moseley, a first-round pick in 2000. He has been pitching well at Louisville, but he partially dislocated his left shoulder Friday.

Josh Hall, a right-hander at Double-A Chattanooga, is a possibility. He pitched five solid innings, giving up two runs, in a 5-4 win over San Francisco Aug. 2.

NEW GUY: Jim Chamblee can rest assured that he'll never see anyone throw harder than Billy Wagner.

Chamblee's first big-league at-bat came against Wagner Sunday. Chamblee saw four pitches - three 101 mph fastballs and a 90 mph slider. He struck out.

"That's a tough guy to face in your first major league at-bat," Chamblee said.

Has he ever faced anyone like Wagner the minors?

"Not even close," Chamblee said.

Chamblee, the newest Red, says players are viewing Triple-A Louisville as the land of opportunity.

"Just about everyone on the Louisville team feels like they have a chance (to be called up)," he said. "So much has happened with the trades and injuries."