Scott Rolen delivered an RBI single, accounting for all of the Reds offense in a losing effort against the Pirates on Saturday.

Rolen finished the evening 1-for-4. The 37-year-old third sacker has really struggled through another injury plagued season, hitting .243/.319/.387 with seven homers and 38 RBI through 281 at-bats. With the emergence of Todd Frazier, it's unlikely that Rolen returns to his starting role on next season's Reds' squad.

Scott Rolen is not in the Reds' starting lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Brewers.

It's just a routine day off for the veteran third baseman, who's batting .238/.316/.386 through 87 games played.

Scott Rolen (back) went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in his return to action Tuesday.

Rolen missed five straight starts due to lower back spasms. He's feeling good now, but the Reds will likely give him regular rest over the next couple weeks as they look ahead to the postseason.

Scott Rolen returned to action on Tuesday September 11.

Scott Rolen (back) is in the Reds' starting lineup on Tuesday evening against the Pirates.

Rolen appeared as a pinch-hitter on Monday night without feeling any lingering pain or discomfort in his back or shoulder. He's batting sixth against Pittsburgh.

Scott Rolen (back) grounded out as a pinch-hitter in Monday's extra-inning win over the Pirates.

It was Rolen's first game action since last Tuesday. He's feeling improvement in his back and should return to the Reds' starting lineup soon.

Scott Rolen returned to action on Monday September 10.

Scott Rolen is currently dealing with a back issue.

Rolen missed a few games last month with back soreness, so the Reds aren't going to take any chances. Todd Frazier will start in his place Friday night and should continue to get semi-regular playing time down the stretch, even with Joey Votto back from the disabled list.

Scott Rolen is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks.

Rolen will take a seat with the day game after the night game. The hot-hitting Todd Frazier will make the start at third base while Miguel Cairo plays first.

Scott Rolen (back) is not in the Reds' lineup Tuesday for the fifth straight game.

The Reds also had a day off Monday, but Rolen still isn't quite ready. "He mentioned that he possibly could play today, but we've still got to make sure," manager Dusty Baker said. "We don't want him to keep coming on and off. We want to keep him on as much as we can, as long as we can." It does sound like Rolen is close, though Baker didn't rule out placing Rolen on the DL if he doesn't return soon.

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."