By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sean Casey was out of the lineup for Wednesday's game with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He'll play today, then sit out Friday, when the Reds open a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs.

That's probably going to be Casey's pattern the rest of the season. The first baseman has a strained groin.

"He's not going to play every day," trainer Mark Mann said, "especially in day games. He has a hard time getting the groin loose."

Casey hasn't given any thought to calling it a season.

"I want to finish it out," he said. "I want to play the whole year, especially after last year."

Casey finished 2002 on the disabled list. He had arthroscopic surgery Sept. 12 on his left shoulder.

The current injury does not hamper Casey the way the shoulder did. He went into Wednesday hitting .288 and is holding out hope he can hit over .300 for the fourth time in five years.

"I'd like to do it," he said. "I still think I can."

Casey would have to hit .380 or more the rest of way to get there, which would put a somewhat happy ending on an odd season.

"It's been weird with all the guys we have on the (disabled list), to have so many friends traded away - the transition we've gone through," Casey said. "(Jason) LaRue and I are the last ones standing."

ROBBY'S DAY: The Reds will dedicate the statue honoring Frank Robinson Sept. 26 at 5:45 p.m. before a game against Montreal. Robinson, a Hall of Famer who played his first 10 seasons with the Reds, manages the Expos.

Robinson's likeness is the third honoring players from the Crosley Field era to be dedicated, along with Ted Kluszewski and Joe Nuxhall. Ernie Lombardi's will be dedicated early next season.

INJURY UPDATE: Aaron Harang long tossed Wednesday. He'll throw a bullpen session today.

It's yet to be determined when Harang, who missed his Friday start with a back strain, will pitch again.

• Jose Acevedo played catch Wednesday. The blister on the second finger of his right hand was better. If Acevedo has no subsequent problems long tossing, he'll probably join the club next week, sometime in Pittsburgh.

REST OF STORY: Wily Mo Pena broke his bat hitting his home run Tuesday.

"I went to the bat boy to get it," Pena said. "He said it was broke. I said, 'What? I can't believe I broke it.' "