Reds put newly acquired 3B Scott Rolen on disabled list because of concussion symptoms

Reds place 3B Rolen on DL

ST. LOUIS — The Cincinnati Reds put newly acquired third baseman Scott Rolen on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after his concussion-related symptoms did not lessen.

Rolen was not arguing the move made before Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing that it was the right thing for him and for the franchise.

“Disappointed probably isn’t the right word,” Rolen said. “This concussion thing is out of my realm of being able to grasp, this isn’t playing through a hamstring or playing through a shoulder.

“This is something I need to play attention to.”

The 34-year-old Rolen was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Colorado’s Jason Marquis on Aug. 2, two days after Toronto traded him to Cincinnati. He missed two games then returned to hit his first homer with his new team before headaches and dizziness returned.

Pitcher Johnny Cueto avoided joining Rolen on the DL, a day after he injured his left hip running on a groundout and left his start after two innings. Manager Dusty Baker said Cueto is on track to make his next start after running without incident earlier Tuesday.

“Evidently, it must have been a cramp,” Baker said. “He ran today and said he didn’t feel a thing.”

Rolen is batting .143 with a home run and two RBIs in four games with the Reds after hitting .320 with Toronto.

“I thought it was OK, came back and tried to play, and it went the wrong way,” Rolen said. “I was kind of in la-la land in San Francisco, so obviously some lingering effects there.”

General manager Walt Jocketty said Monday the team was willing to wait a few days before making a decision. But Baker pointed out the Reds were a bit short-handed on the bench and in the bullpen, plus outfielder Chris Dickerson was ready to come off the DL from a shoulder injury.

Dickerson was activated to take Rolen’s spot and was in the lineup, batting leadoff against St. Louis.

“He’s in the same state, just a little woozy and mostly headaches,” Baker said. “He’s not seeing much improvement from the improvement he showed.”

Rolen talked Monday with former teammate David Eckstein, who had a concussion when the two played for the Cardinals, and recalled the struggles of other players to return. After the false start last week, he plans to return when he’s 100 percent recovered.

“There will be a minute where I’ll feel great and I think ‘You know what, this isn’t here, I’m OK, everything’s good and I’m going to go take some BP and get back on the field,’” Rolen said. “Two hours later, I’m kind of squinting from the lights in the room with a headache.”