Scott Rolen (back) is not in the Reds' lineup Sunday for the fourth straight game. Rolen is feeling better but isn't quite ready yet. "It's felt better every day," Rolen said. "I can't put a finger on the problem was or what happened." The Reds are off Monday, so perhaps he'll be able to return Tuesday against the Mets. Todd Frazier is playing third base Sunday.

Scott Rolen (lower back) is not in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Cubs. Rolen missed the last two games with back stiffness. The injury is considered a low-level concern. Wilson Valdez is starting at third base and batting seventh.

Scott Rolen delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to lead the Reds to a 4-2 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. We don't see how Dusty Baker can keep Todd Frazier out of the lineup, but he's gone right back to Rolen each of the last two nights. Of course, if Rolen gets hot, the Reds do have the ability to play Frazier in left field. But while Rolen played the hero tonight and now has four hits in two games, he's still without an extra-base hit in 27 at-bats since June 23.

Scott Rolen returned to action on Sunday July 8.

Scott Rolen (lower back) took batting practice and fielded grounders Friday without any issues. Rolen has been out since June 29 with lower-back spasms, but could return to the starting lineup Saturday. He figures see semi-regular at-bats behind Todd Frazier when healthy.

Scott Rolen (back) said Thursday that he expects to avoid the disabled list. "I don't want to go on the DL. I'm hoping that's off the table," said Rolen, who hasn't played since last Friday. "I plan on being available [Friday] for sure. My activity level went up. I ran some sprints. I did some stuff in the weight room." Even if Rolen is doing better, he figures to lose more playing time to Todd Frazier, who is the superior player at this point.

Scott Rolen reported some improvement with his back Wednesday, but the Reds still might place him on the disabled list. "I'll know better probably the next day or so," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We may end up doing something. He was feeling better today, so we'll see." Rolen said he's "mobile and walking around" but admitted he's "not comfortable" and is "not going to do any baseball stuff" soon. The Reds are better off starting Todd Frazier at this point, anyway. Rolen is batting just .184/.243/.312 for the season.

Scott Rolen reported no improvement with his back spasms Monday. It's been an issue Rolen has dealt with before, and he usually requires 2-3 days of down time. If that timetable holds true this time around, he could be back by mid-week. Todd Frazier is handling third base in Rolen's absence.

Scott Rolen left Sunday's game with back spasms. He didn't sustain the injury on the field, as he never reached it. Rolen didn't bat in the first inning and Todd Frazier emerged to play third in the bottom half of the frame. Rolen, hitless in his last 16 at-bats and is batting just .212 (7-for-33) since returning from the disabled list, should be considered day-to-day. But as a brittle veteran, this malady could linger a bit longer.

Scott Rolen is hitless in his last 16 at-bats and is batting just .212 (7-for-33) since returning from the disabled list. That's actually better than his overall mark of .184 this season. Reds manager Dusty Baker contends that Rolen has been unlucky this year, but he's simply unable to drive the ball anymore due to his shoulder woes, as his embarrassing .312 slugging percentage indicates. Rolen will continue to sit day games after night games, but Baker doesn't plan on benching him over long stretches. "This is to preserve him for the end, so he's strong," Baker said. "Rarely is less more, especially when you're trying to get your stroke."