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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 11:51 PM Tuesday, April 28, 2009

CINCINNATI — As it turns out, maybe Edwin Encarnacion’s bat wasn’t infected with the swine flu, depending upon when he suffered a chip fracture in his right wrist.

X-rays late Tuesday afternoon, April 28, revealed the fracture and whether the Cincinnati Reds’ third baseman injured it in spring training or during his last at-bat Monday is open to speculation.

Whatever, Encarnacion was placed on the disabled list and infielder Adam Rosales was summoned from Class AAA Louisville, where he was hitting .431.

“We knew his wrist was bothering him, but you never know how extensive it is until you do the tests,” said manager Dusty Baker. “We don’t know if he did it on a checked swing or not. I saw him wince on his last swing Monday.”

Encarnacion tried to check his swing in the ninth inning Monday but was called out, the second out of the inning.

Rosales not only was tearing up Triple-A pitching, but his nickname is Pete Rose-ales for his all-out hustle.

Said Louisville broadcaster Jim Kelch, working the current homestand with Marty Brennaman, “Rosales has been unbelievable. And his body language is 180 degrees from Encarnacion’s laid-back demeanor. You’ll never accuse Rosales of not hustling.”

Rosales was 3-for-3 Monday and had two more hits Tuesday against Indianapolis, extending his batting streak to 11 games. He has reached base in all 17 games.

Assessing Phillips

An American League scout wanted to know, “What’s wrong with the second baseman (Brandon Phillips). I filed a report that because he is batting fourth he thinks he needs to hit home runs every time, pull everything, especially with runners on base. Personally, I think he is a better No. 2 hitter.”

Baker believes Phillips will snap to it soon.

“Water seeks its own level and my theory is he didn’t take two days to get into this funk and it usually takes twice as long to get out of it,” said Baker. “If he can get some hits, a few bunts maybe, that’ll cure everything. Two hits a day for a week will cure any ailments before you get a whole bunch of at-bats.”

Baker cited Alex Gonzalez, Ramon Hernandez and Jay Bruce as guys who went on hit sprees for a week and lifted their batting averages 100 points.

“Make your move to respectability before you get 200 at-bats because then it gets tougher to move up. You can move real quick this time of year,” Baker added. “Hey, do you think Lance Berkman is going to hit .160 all year? Do you think Derrek Lee is going to hit .170 all year. Certain guys are going to hit.”

Concussion report

Chris Dickerson and Houston shortstop Miguel Tejada collided head-on at second base Monday and it was feared Dickerson might have suffered another concussion, the fifth of his life. He was still undergoing tests before Tuesday’s game and had a slight headache, but a concussion was not diagnosed.

His other concussions:

• “I ran into the wall in Dayton (Fifth Third Field), crashed into a TV screen out there.”

• “I crashed into the wall in college.”

• “I hit my head on a basketball backboard trying to slam dunk. Unfortunately, the backboard was metal. That was in elementary school and I underestimated myself that day.”

• “And in grade school I was messing with a tetherball and a tire that had cement in it. I was rocking it back and forth and lost my grip.”

Quote of the day

Baker on why Joey Votto isn’t getting a day off soon: “Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols, the big boys, play every day. That’s why they call them the big boys.”

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