"Third baseman Scott Rolen was out of the starting lineup Wednesday.

He's fine physically, or as fine as a guy with a bad shoulder can be.

But Rolen is struggling at the plate. He's 4-for-27 (.148) and does not have an extra-base hit in his last eight games.

He would not use his shoulder as an excuse.

"I'm OK. I'm not getting the barrel where it needs to be," Rolen said. "I've got to get that cleaned up and get the ball in the middle of the field."

Rolen did enter Wednesday's come-from-behind win against the Brewers as part of a double switch when the Reds replaced Jose Arredondo with Bill Bray in the 8th.

But he gets an extra day of rest with Thursday's off day.

"He looked like he needed it," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He played a lot on the road trip. He's much better after days off."

Wednesday was the last of 20 games in 20 days for the Reds.

"It's been a long ride," Baker said. "Physically, mentally and emotionally."

Baker encouraged his players to take it easy Thursday."