By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

ST. LOUIS - It wasn't the official changing of the guard, or changing of the shortstops, for that matter.

But Monday night, when the Reds opened a three-game series against St. Louis here, Barry Larkin was not in the lineup, even though he was healthy enough to play.

Felipe Lopez got the nod.

Larkin is still nursing a sore oblique muscle. But Lopez's play is a bigger factor behind the decision to keep Larkin out of the starting lineup another day or two.

"Honestly, Lopie is playing pretty good," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "Barry realizes that."

Lopez took a career-high 10-game hitting streak into Monday's game. He was hitting .371 with three home runs and seven RBI in that span, and his defense has been solid.

"The way Felipe is playing factors in," Larkin said. "I talked to Miley. He's sensitive to the fact that I'm not 100 percent. We're taking it day by day."

With the Reds' postseason hopes all but dead, it's not too early to look to the future.

Lopez, barring a trade, will be with the Reds next year. Larkin's status is much more uncertain. He's a free agent and hasn't decided whether he'll keep playing or retire.

Right now, the 23-year-old Lopez is the leading candidate to replace Larkin long-term.

And even when Larkin returns to the field, Lopez will get plenty of playing time.

"(Lopez) has been taking balls at second and third," Miley said. "He's making strides."