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HOUSTON — As suspected, Eric Milton's season is over, even though the pitcher will have his elbow examined again sometime this week.

Milton already said he sees no reason to try again, and Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron said Chris Michalak will take Milton's final two turns in the rotation.

"Physically, if he can feel it (pain in his elbow), it is not going to do him any good mentally to go back out there this year," said Narron.

The question remains whether Milton should have tried to pitch Sunday in Chicago when his elbow hurt as he warmed up for the game, then gave up six runs, two home runs and six hits in one-third of an inning.

"The last thing I told him, the last thing I said to him, before he walked to the mound was, 'Don't be stupid, don't do something stupid here,' " said Narron. "He said he was all right."

Asked Monday about Milton's Macho Man try, Narron said, "He was thinking about the team first. He really felt he was the best guy to start Sunday. If he wasn't thinking that way, I really believe he would have told us. In his mind, he thought he was the best guy."

The Griffey report

For the first time since dislocating a toe two weeks ago, Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. took fly balls in the outfield for a few minutes during batting practice, "To see if I can run the 30 feet you need to chase down balls."

It was almost as if Griffey was thinking about what Milton did Sunday when he said, "Everything I do is running and getting breaks on balls, and if I can't do that, it is not fair to the skipper or anybody else in the clubhouse to be out there. If I thought I could contribute, I'd be in there. If I can't run 30 yards and take the pounding when I have to chase balls, I don't want to go out and play and have to have them pull me out of the game. That's not fair, either."

He'll be evaluated today after his Monday workout, but is available to pinch hit.

Hopper impressive

For his brief time with the Reds, career minor-leaguer Norris Hopper is impressing Narron. Hopper is hitting .333 in 13 games, starting five of the last nine.

"I like his energy and speed," said Narron. "He has the ability to get the bat on the ball, put it in play. I can see how he led the International League in hitting this year (.347). He gets infield hits. He can bunt."

Narron sees the 27-year-old outfielder who never played in the majors until this August as a possible piece next year.

"I definitely see a guy who can help us," said Narron. "That doesn't mean he has the club made, but he can be at least an extra outfielder. But a lot can happen between now and next April 1.

"One thing I like is that he played winter ball last year, and he is looking for a job now, wants to play winter ball this year," said Narron. "A whole lot of guys who played a month in the big leagues suddenly think they are major-league players and won't play winter ball. He really wants to play, and if he does that, he has a chance to get better."

Taking advantage

Narron was not so glowing over outfielder Chris Denorfia, who has been up and down four times this year and battled Hopper for the IL batting title when both were at Class AAA Louisville.

Denorfia is hitting .226 in 36 games, and Narron said, "It is difficult to play this game when you aren't getting a chance to play regularly. When you aren't a regular, you can't go by numbers. You have to contribute any way you can when you do play.

"The thing is, if he's here and he is a fourth or fifth outfielder, he has to get it done when he is asked to play," Narron added. "That's what keeps guys here, gives them tremendous value, like Juan Castro. If Denorfia is going to be here and not be one of the top three, he has to play well and contribute when he gets a chance."

Contact this reporter at hmccoy@DaytonDailyNews.com.