The Reds will consider going with a temporary six-man rotation when Hoffman (shoulder) comes off the IL next week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager David Bell wants to give Tyler Mahle and Luis Castillo a couple of extra days given that they didn't get much more than their usual rest after last weekend's series in Milwaukee. "There is a chance we would add (Hoffman) in for a couple of reasons," Bell said. "Some of our starters with (Tyler) Mahle pitching tonight, Luis (Castillo) pitching tomorrow, they're getting an extra day or two, but not an extra four days. There was only so many guys we could do that with, where we could give them a larger break."

Hoffman (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab start Friday for High-A Dayton.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman will be pitching for the first time since July 7, when he tossed 5.1 innings (82 pitches) in his fourth rehab outing for Triple-A Louisville. At this point, Hoffman appears to be fully ramped up for starting duty, but the Reds don't seem to have a spot available for him in the big-league rotation. Rookie Vladimir Gutierrez has emerged as a reliable No. 5 starter since Hoffman landed on the shelf in late May with a right shoulder impingement.

Hoffman (shoulder) will make a fourth rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman has gone 10 innings without allowing an earned run during his rehab assignment. Despite the good results, the Reds don't seem to be in a hurry to bring him back or decide whether he'll start or relieve when he does return. They're also getting Michael Lorenzen back soon, and have gotten good work out of Vladimir Gutierrez, which might explain their lack of urgency.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Hoffman (shoulder) will make a third rehab start for Triple-A Louisville later this week, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman's second rehab outing came Sunday, when he struck out six over four scoreless frames. He was capped at 49 pitches in that outing, so the Reds may want to see him increase his count to the 60-to-75 range before activating him from the 10-day injured list prior to the All-Star break. The Reds have yet to determine Hoffman's role upon returning from the IL, but he would have to settle for bullpen duties if the club opts to keep Vladimir Gutierrez in the rotation.

Hoffman (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman has missed nearly a month after exiting a late-May start with a sore shoulder. That could mean he requires multiple rehab outings before being activated from the injured list, though the Reds have yet to specify when they expect him back.

Hoffman (shoulder) has been throwing bullpen sessions at Triple-A Louisville this week and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the affiliate next week, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman, who hasn't pitched since May 27 due to right shoulder soreness, will likely make one or two rehab starts for Louisville while the Reds weigh whether to bring him back as a member of the rotation or bullpen once he's activated. Before landing on the shelf, the right-hander was serviceable but unspectacular over his 10 starts, posting a 4.61 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 41 innings. Meanwhile, Vladimir Gutierrez (2.74 ERA and 1.09 through four starts) has been impressive as Hoffman's replacement in the rotation, and his quality work may be enough to keep him ahead of Hoffman in the pecking order when both are healthy.

Manager David Bell said Tuesday that Hoffman (shoulder) could go on a rehab assignment later this month, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell was far from specific in updating the right-hander's return timeline, but it appears evident that he's likely a ways out from going on a rehab assignment. Given that he'll likely need to make multiple rehab outings when that time comes, a mid-to-late-June return to the Reds seems like the absolute best case scenario at this point.

Hoffman was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement Thursday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, but his shoulder injury won't require surgery. The right-hander is heading back to Cincinnati to be further examined, and a better idea of his return timetable could come into focus once his visit with the medical staff is complete.

Hoffman (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Hoffman left his start Wednesday against the Nationals with right shoulder soreness, and the issue is evidently serious enough to cause him to miss at least one start. His expected return date is not yet clear. The righty is pitcher better than usual this season after finally escaping Coors Field, but his 4.61 ERA and 1.59 WHIP are still not particularly impressive. Cionel Perez was called up in a corresponding move.

Hoffman exited Wednesday's start against the Nationals with right shoulder soreness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old struggled with his command Wednesday and issued five walks before being lifted with the injury after 1.1 innings. Hoffman's availability for his next turn through the rotation is in question due to the injury.