According to Reds.com, Kent Mercker has gone on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation:

The injury is officially listed as left elbow inflammation, and it was enough to force Mercker onto the 15-day disabled list on Sunday. Right-hander Mike Burns was recalled from Triple-A Louisville, and was expected to arrive some time during the game against Philadelphia.

You might remember that Burns started the season in Cincinnati, but was sent down on April 19. You probably don't remember that Michael Gosling took his place on the roster because he was optioned back to Louisville a few hours later to make room for Brian Shackelford. It's not really relevant, I suppose; I just think it's funny.

I hope that Burns is feeling better after his month in Louisville. He left the team with a 7.56 ERA in seven appearances. In Louisville, he sports a 1.84 ERA in nine appearances.

There are some great new photos in the Felipe Lopez human league entry. Many thanks to my Crack Technical Staff for doing the screen captures. Many thanks also to FSNO who featured the tats in a pre-game program.

The AE symbol on his neck, by the way, was designed by his wife back when they were dating. It stands for “Always and Forever.”

It took 12 innings for the Reds to lose to the Phillies on Sunday by a score of 2-1 in the second consecutive unexpected pitchers duel.

Brandon Claussen allowed one run (earned) on four hits and a walk through eight innings. He struck out seven.

Todd Coffey took over in the ninth and allowed zero runs on one hit for the second night in a row. David Weathers pitched the tenth and eleventh, also allowing zero runs one one hit but he issued three walks (one intentional).

Chris Hammond pitched the twelfth and gave up the winning run (earned) on two hits. His ERA stands at 8.44.

The Reds' single run came off a home run by Jason LaRue, sporting his pink breast cancer awareness bat. The two Philly runs came off two separate solo shots by Ryan Howard. Howard is in tight contention with Jimmy Rollins and his damn excellent defense for the honor of being my Least Phavorite Philly.

The loss brings the Reds' record to 23-15 and gives the Reds their first sweep of the bad kind of 2006. Their next official game is Tuesday against the Pirates. Aaron Harang faces Paul Maholm. The Reds play an exhibition game Monday against the Pirates in Cooperstown, New York. Rumor has it that Eric Milton will start.