Reds Return Home to Host the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies

Coming off of a 3-3 road trip, the Reds return home to host the Philadelphia Phillies.  Cincinnati will play host to the defending World Champions for a three game series beginning tonight at Great American Ball Park.

Tonight, it will be lefty Cole Hamels (1-2) against Johnny Cueto (4-1).  Hamels was 2-0 with a 0.56 earned run average last year against the Reds.  Cueto is unbeaten in his last six starts.

The Phillies will send another southpaw to the mound on Wednesday.  It will be Jamie Moyer (3-3) against Micah Owings (3-4).  Owings threw 5 2/3 innings of relief in the 16-inning game last Saturday.

The series will conclude with a Thursday afternoon game.  It will be right-hander Joe Blanton (1-3) for the Phillies against Aaron Harang (3-4) for the Redlegs.

Injury Updates:

Relief pitcher Bill Bray has been on the disabled list since April 16.  He will have surgery on his left elbow today.

Edinson Volquez experienced back spasms and was forced to leave the game last Saturday.  He received treatment and is not expected to miss a start.

Nick Masset has a strained left oblique muscle.  He will be placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 11.  Ramon Ramirez is expected to be called up from Louisville.

The most serious injury problem concerns first baseman Joey Votto.  He continues to experience dizziness.  He was unable to fly home with the team and was admitted to the Scripps Clinic in San Diego as a precautionary measure.  He will be examined on Tuesday in Cincinnati.