"Scott Rolen had hoped to return to the lineup Tuesday when the Reds took on the Pirates, but manager Dusty Baker again felt otherwise.

Rolen did not blame Baker for keeping him on the bench a second day, as Rolen acknowledging his left shoulder is still bothering him.

"It's the same stuff with my shoulder," he said. "I've been dealing with it for quite a while."

Third baseman Rolen, 36, has not hit with much authority this year. He has five homers, 36 RBI and a .242 batting average. The shoulder landed him on the disabled list from April 24-May 12.

In July, Rolen has hit .190 with a homer and four RBI.

"I had a little stretch before the (All-Star) break where I was feeling it and struggling a little bit, trying to finish up," Rolen said. "It's not where I want it right now, but I'm still going to go out there and put some decent at-bats on, and hopefully get over the hump."

Tuesday marked three consecutive off-days for Rolen. Miguel Cairo started again Tuesday, but Baker hopes to start Rolen today (Wednesday).

"He probably could have played (Tuesday)," Baker said. "It's better for him and us, another day, then we play one (Wednesday) and we have an off-day on Thursday."

Baker said that Tuesday's Pirates starter, James McDonald, throws plenty of high fastballs and that Wednesday's starter, Jeff Karstens, is more low-ball. Thus, Baker believes Wednesday is a better situation for Rolen's shoulder."