You probably noticed that it was Adam Dunn manning first base last night. That was because Rich Aurilia is still on the DL and Scott Hatteberg has come down with the dreaded flu-like symptoms:

PITTSBURGH -- Flu-like symptoms have felled Scott Hatteberg, who was to start at first base tonight. The original lineup also had Lopez leading off and Brandon Phillips second.

Now that Hatteberg is out, Dunn will play first and Freel will start in left and lead off, moving Lopez back to second and Phillips to seventh in the order.

Personally, I think Javy at first would have been a better choice, but whatever.

The dreaded flu-like symptoms have hit this team many times over the last two seasons. In fact, they've caused so much missed playing time, I'm starting to think that “flu-like symptoms” is, in fact, a euphemism for one or more other conditions, such as:

• Slump
• Hangover
• Pissed off the manager
• Bad hair day
• Herpes

This is the point in the column where usually I'd entreat the Cincinnati management to drop the fascade and just tell us if the guys are feeling too puffy to play, but now that I think about it, stick with the “flu-like symptoms.” Every relationship needs a little mystique.

Get well soon, Hattey.