"All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips is a gamer who hates sitting on the bench. Sunday, Phillips missed a third consecutive game because of a groin injury.

Phillips had hoped to be back by now.

"Ask Dusty," Phillips said, declining further comment.

Reds manager Dusty Baker is being cautious with Phillips, who was hurt when he planted and threw in the eighth inning last Wednesday (at San Diego). Baker said the disabled list is not an option, and that Phillips remains day-to-day.

"He's getting better. We don't have to rush him back," Baker said. "We don't think we have to DL him, either. This (cold) weather isn't helping."

One of Phillips' Twitter followers wrote him Sunday and told Phillips to "hang in there," with the hope that Phillips was feeling OK.

Phillips tweeted back:

"Preciate it. It's hard just sitting down! You know I would play hurt!!"

Before Sunday's game, Phillips fielded some grounders at second base. Phillips appeared to be moving well, with coach Chris Speier hitting to him.

Phillips is off to one of the best starts of his career, with a .354 batting average, one homer, five RBI and two steals.

"We have to make some decisions here soon," Baker said. "Brandon's not one of them.""