By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A fan brought a bobblehead figure of Barry Larkin to the Oakland Coliseum and gave it to bullpen catcher Mike Stefanski. (Michael Keating photo)

OAKLAND, Calif. - The injury that forced Barry Larkin out of Tuesday's game against the A's was classified Wednesday as a lower abdominal strain.

Larkin had flown back to Cincinnati to be examined by team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek. The 40-year-old Larkin will receive treatment today and be re-examined Friday in Cincinnati.

Larkin suffered the injury while fielding a ground ball in the fourth inning Tuesday.

Should it require placing Larkin on the 15-day disabled list, three Triple-A Louisville infielders - Aaron Holbert, Jermaine Clark and Dionys Cesar - would be considered to take his roster spot.

None is on the Reds' 40-man roster.

"If it were to happen, it would obviously be a big loss for us," Reds catcher Jason LaRue said before Wednesday's game at Network Associates Coliseum. "He's doing an unbelievable job at shortstop and hitting this year."

Through 53 games this season, Larkin has a .292 batting average with four home runs and 23 RBI. Tuesday was his second consecutive start at shortstop after not starting from June 2-6 because of an unrelated abdominal strain in his right side.

Taking his place in the Reds' starting lineup Wednesday was Felipe Lopez. Second baseman D'Angelo Jimenez and third baseman Tim Hummel also have experience at shortstop.

The Reds are already without infielder Juan Castro, who is on the disabled list with a strained left ribcage muscle. He is eligible to come off the DL on June 16.

Pitcher Aaron Harang (sprained elbow ligament) and right fielder Austin Kearns (thumb) also are on the disabled list.

Under normal circumstances, Ray Olmedo probably would be the Reds' first choice for a backup infielder since he is already on the 40-man roster.

But Olmedo has been on Louisville's disabled list since May 25 with a right elbow strain.

"Looking at our club right now," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said Tuesday, "I would say we were a little beat-up."