"I think I've had them since 1999 - four or five years," he said. "But they were in a place that wasn't affecting me. I pitched a lot last year without any trouble."

But this year, they began bothering Matthews.

"When I went on back-to-back-to-back days, it would get really swollen," he said.

It got so bad and Matthews was so ineffective that he had surgery to remove the chips July 6.

Matthews allowed 12 earned runs in 2 1/3 innings before going on the disabled list. That pushed his ERA from 3.38 to 8.84. Nearly two months of rehab followed, but Matthews has been very good since returning.

He's made six appearances since being re-instated on Sept. 3. He's allowed no runs, two hits and struck out five in 5 2/3 innings over six appearances. He threw five scoreless innings at Louisville before joining the Reds.

"He's really pitched well," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "It makes you wonder how long those bone chips bothered him."

Matthews, 30, signed with the Reds as a minor league free agent. He is a free agent after this season

"I want to show these guys I can still throw," Matthews said. "Hopefully, I'll be back. I definitely want to be."

NO KEARNS: As suspected, Austin Kearns has a mild case of pink eye. Antibiotics had improved it by Tuesday afternoon, but Kearns was unavailable for the game against the Philadelphia Phillies because the eye doctor recommended that he not put his contacts in.

"We expect him to be able to play (today)," trainer Mark Mann said.

NO CASTRO: Juan Castro, who had four wisdom teeth removed Friday, is expected to resume baseball activity today.

RARE COMPANY: Adam Dunn (92) and Sean Casey (90) are both within reach of 100 RBI. The Reds haven't had two players go over 100 in the same year since George Foster (149) and Johnny Bench (109) in 1977.

The Reds haven't had anyone go over 100 since Ken Griffey Jr. (118) in 2000.

FARM REPORT: Rookie ball Billings lost 4-2 to Provo in the Pioneer League championship series Monday. That gave Provo the series, two games to none. Billings was the last Reds' team alive in the playoffs.

UP NEXT: The Reds wrap up the three-game series with the Phillies today 12:35 p.m.. Left-hander Brandon Claussen (2-4, 6.27) faces right-hander Brett Myers (8-9, 5.44).

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