By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Another day, another player (or two) on the shelf.

Paul Wilson and Danny Graves were both shut down for the year after having their right shoulders examined by Dr. Tim Kremchek on Monday.

"That's what they suggested," Graves said. "At this point, I'm definitely not going to argue. I don't think I should push it."

Neither Graves nor Wilson needs surgery.

The Reds are still holding out hope that Barry Larkin and Adam Dunn can return, but they are running out of time.

An MRI showed inflammation in the back of Graves' shoulder but no structural damage.

He's been experiencing discomfort when throwing. Graves, of course, was moved from closer to the rotation. He threw 169 innings this year - 58 more than his previous career-high.

"When it's sore and weak, Doc said that's when you're at risk for serious injury," Graves said. "You can start tearing things."

Wilson has dealt with pain in the front of his shoulder for four weeks.

Both Graves and Wilson will stay in Cincinnati and rehab until the end of the season.

Larkin's strained left ring finger was examined. He'll be kept out for another week. The soonest he could return is when the season is down to 12 games.

"I wouldn't say his season is over," trainer Mark Mann said. "He's the kind of player who can pick up a bat and be ready in a day or two."

MORE BAD NEWS: Jose Acevedo was supposed to throw a simulated game Monday, the final step to returning to the rotation.

Two pitches into the outing, Acevedo had to shut it down because of a blister on the middle finger of his right hand.

"The damnedest thing I've ever seen," Reds manager Dave Miley said.

He was referring to the Reds' incredible run of bad luck. The club has 11 players on the disabled list, and five others (Graves, Wilson, Aaron Harang, Ryan Freel and Ruben Mateo) on the active list but unable to play.

ON HARANG: Harang, who had to leave Friday's game after an inning because of back pain, has been cleared to throw.

But he won't make his scheduled start on Wednesday. Todd Van Poppel, who threw six innings of two-hit relief after taking over for Harang, is a possibility. Matt Belisle, a 22-year-old right-hander brought up from Louisville Sunday, is also a possibility.

A LITTLE GOOD NEWS: Freel, strained right hamstring, has been cleared to begin jogging. If all goes well, he'll be able to play sometime on the 10-game road trip that begins Friday.

UP NEXT: The Reds play the Pirates in the second game of the four-game series. Rookie right-hander Josh Hall (0-0, 5.40 ERA) faces right-hander Salomon Torres (5-4, 4.30) in a 7:10 p.m. game.