By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ST. LOUIS - When the Reds moved Danny Graves from the rotation back to the bullpen, he said he looked forward to his arm not hurting every day.

It hasn't worked out that way.

Graves is dealing with a sore shoulder. He hasn't pitched since he went three innings in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

"It's just a little uncomfortable to throw," Graves said. "I think it's from going so long with bad mechanics.

"I just go on how it feels every day," added Graves, who is 4-15 with a 5.33 ERA and two saves. "I check in with (pitching coach Don Gullett). I'm out for at least (Saturday)."

Graves made 26 starts before manager Dave Miley and Gullett moved him back to the bullpen. Graves has thrown 169 innings, 68 more than his previous high of 111 in 1999.

"I've thrown a lot of innings," Graves said. "I think that's catching up with me. But we've still got a few weeks to go. I want to make sure everything's fine before I throw again."

Graves does not think there is anything structurally wrong with his shoulder.

"I think it's just a little tendinitis," he said. "But I'm not a doctor. I'm going to talk to (Dr. Tim Kremchek) when we get back. I don't need an MRI or anything."

Graves had surgery in 1997 to repair a slight tear in the rotator cuff and the labrum.

ADD ANOTHER: Matt Belisle, the 23-year-old right-hander obtained in the Kent Mercker trade from Atlanta, will join the Reds today.

Belisle was 2-4 with a 3.13 ERA in Triple-A. The Reds are short on arms with Graves and Aaron Harang hurting.

FIRST FIRST: Eric Valent hit in the leadoff spot Saturday. It was the first time Valent hit in the spot - ever. That includes the minors, college, high school and Little League.

"Never," Valent said. "I was never a base stealer."

Valent struck out in his first two at-bats but then had two singles.

"We don't have a lot of options (with leadoff)," Miley said. "If you put (D'Angelo) Jimenez there, who hits third?"

HARANG UPDATE: Harang, who left Friday's game with lower back pain after one inning, felt better Saturday.

"It's a lot better," he said. "I have a lot better mobility."

Harang's next start, scheduled for Wednesday, remains in question.

"The trainers told me to take it day by day," Harang said. "I might try to play catch (today)."

If Harang can't start, Todd Van Poppel, who threw six innings of relief Friday, will take his spot. Van Poppel won't be available until Tuesday anyway.

Harang said he hurt himself on a pitch to Orlando Palmeiro.

"I felt something pop," he said. "I threw the next pitch and it felt like someone was sticking me with a knife."

Palmeiro grounded into a fielder's choice on that pitch. Had he not, Harang would not have been able to continue.

HALL RETURNS: Josh Hall, Tuesday's starter, rejoined the team Saturday.

It was more than just a day at the park. Because starter Danny Serafini went only 2 1/3 innings, Hall was needed to pitch the eighth. He walked the first two batters he faced, Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen, and gave up two runs.

The 22-year-old right-hander was shocked by the call-up. He had gone home to Lynchburg, Va., after the Chattanooga season ended.

"They told me to stay ready," he said. "I took a couple of days off and then threw a little bit."

Hall, who was 8-10 with a 3.47 ERA for Double-A Chattanooga, knows he can pitch his way into contention for next year's starting rotation.

"I've taken advantage of every chance they've given me," he said. "You want to keep your foot in the door."

Hall pitched five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, in his one start for the Reds on Aug. 2 against San Francisco.

UP NEXT: The Reds play the final game of the series with the Cardinals at 2:10 p.m. today. Right-hander Seth Etherton (2-2, 4.84 ERA) faces right-hander Matt Morris (9-6, 3.80).