CINCINNATI -- At some point, possibly in early August, Padres second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, on the disabled list since May with a separated shoulder, is going to rejoin the team.

So what to do with Edgar Gonzalez, who has been much more than a capable fill-in while Iguchi has been working his way back?

That's a concern -- albeit a good one -- for another day.

The 30-year-old Gonzalez, at this rate, might merit some consideration for Rookie of the Year votes in the National League.

Gonzalez had three more hits in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Reds in 11 innings to raise his average to .328. Better still, Gonzalez -- the older brother of San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez -- has six consective multihit games and seven in his past eight games.

He has raised his batting average 32 points in the last six games.

Pitching matchup
SD: RHP Greg Maddux (3-8, 4.21 ERA)
Maddux, who now hasn't won in 13 starts, wasn't hurt by a lack of run support in his last start, as the Padres scored seven runs for him. His problem was lack of quality pitches, as the Cardinals torched him for six runs on eight hits in four innings, his shortest start of the season, on July 18 at Busch Stadium. Maddux had a 6-3 lead but allowed a three-run home run to Ryan Ludwick. Maddux is 2-2 with a 5.85 ERA in six career starts at Great American Ball Park.

CIN: RHP Bronson Arroyo (8-7, 5.71 ERA)
Arroyo might be the hottest pitcher in the Reds' rotation. He's won four straight and tied his longest outing of the season in his last start, when he pitched eight solid innings, giving up just two runs on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts against the Mets on Friday. Arroyo faced just three batters in six of the eight innings he pitched, and he threw just 95 pitches -- 63 going for strikes. He last faced the Padres on May 24, when he pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits with a walk and nine strikeouts in receiving the victory.

Tidbits
Newly acquired pitcher Chad Reineke will report to Triple-A Portland in the next day or so. There's a chance he could join the Padres in the future, possibly before Sept. 1, when the rosters expand to 40 players. ... Iguchi has been cleared for all baseball-related activities as he works his way back from the separated right shoulder injury he suffered in May. He'll visit the team doctor early next week in San Diego before going out on a rehabilitation assignment. ... San Diego reliever Brett Tomko, on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain, will throw a bullpen session on Thursday in Pittsburgh. ... Clay Hensley, who tossed two innings of scoreless relief on Monday, will get the start against the Pirates on Thursday.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
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•  Official game notes

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On radio
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Up next
• Thursday: Padres (TBD) at Pirates (Yoslan Herrera, 0-1, 19.50), 4:05 p.m. PT
• Friday: Padres (Cha Seung Baek, 2-5, 4.94) at Pirates (Zach Duke, 4-7, 4.92), 4:05 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Padres (Josh Banks, 2-4, 3.51) at Pirates (John Van Benschoten, 1-2, 8.27), 4:05 p.m. PT