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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 8:10 AM Wednesday, August 12, 2009

ST. LOUIS — It wasn't exactly a Cash for Clunkers deal, with the Cincinnati Reds getting the clunker, but the trade for Scott Rolen isn't looking like the best decision ever made — at least for this season.

The Reds placed Rolen on the disabled list Tuesday, Aug. 11, with concussion-like symptoms and it could be quite a while before he plays his fifth game for the Reds.

The 34-year-old third baseman, hit in the head by a pitch Aug. 2, tried to play in San Francisco over the weekend and said, "I was in lala land," which isn't good because the team was in Frisco, not L.A.

"This concussion thing is out of my realm of understanding and it isn't like playing through a hamstring or a shoulder," said Rolen. "This is something I need to pay attention to and listen to people. We need to do the right thing. Because I still have the symptoms, the right thing was to put me on the DL. The book says not to put you back on the field until you are 100 percent.

"We don't want to put another concussion on top of what I already have (two others)," he added. "My understanding is that inactivity is what cures the symptoms. The longer I'm inactive, the longer away I am from being back on the field. Look at the schedule and days off, it makes the most sense to be on the DL. It's the right thing because it is not something I want to battle down the road."

Rolen came to the Reds on July 31 from Toronto in exchange for third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, plus pitching prospects Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart — a steep price.

Cueto is OK

For once, though, there is some positive news on the Reds' front: pitcher Johnny Cueto is OK and probably will make his next scheduled start Saturday at home against the Nationals.

Cueto left his Monday start after two innings with a tight hip flexor, but ran in the outfield Tuesday with no pain or repercussions.

"Evidently it was a cramp and that's very good news in that it wasn't a pull or anything negative," said manager Dusty Baker. "I thought he hurt something badly when he limped out of the batter's box. That's why I took him out.

"We've had enough of that stuff. My first thought was a groin injury and Don Newcome told me a groin injury ruined his career."

Votto's 'slump'

Joey Votto went into Tuesday's game on a 1-for-15 skid and while Votto didn't say it, Baker said it for him: "Last weekend was the first anniversary of his father's death and he lost a little bit of his concentration.

"He swung better in both batting practice and in Monday's game (1-for-4), and he'll be all right now," said Baker. "I can see a difference."

Owings: 79 pitches

Pitcher Micah Owings pitched 4 2/3 innings on rehab Monday for Class AAA Louisville, throwing 79 pitches, "A few too many for 4 2/3 innings," said Baker. "He'll pitch on rehab again and we'll try to build him up to 95 pitches. The best thing, though, is that he feels good and nothing is wrong with his shoulder."

Dickerson starts

Willy Taveras was not in Tuesday's lineup, but it had nothing to do with his head-first, full-bore collision with a padded wall Monday. He is not hurt.

Baker just wanted to start Chris Dickerson, who was activated off the DL before Tuesday's game.

"Dickerson hits righthanders better than lefthanders (righthander Mitchell Boggs started for the Cardinals) and this was a good chance to get him in there," Baker said.

Quote of the day

"The Cardinals certainly were able to add some high-powered reinforcements for the stretch run." — Baker, talking about the Cardinals adding Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa and Julio Lugo.

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