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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 1:32 AM Wednesday, July 29, 2009

CINCINNATI — As Friday's non-waivers trade deadline creeps closer, the rumors circulate. One involving the Cincinnati Reds acquiring third baseman Scott Rolen from Toronto remains alive and kicking.

Also there are rumors of the departure of pitcher Aaron Harang, maybe as part of the deal that would bring Rolen to Cincinnati.

"You hear 'em, but I don't pay attention to the rumors," said Harang. "You can't let it bother you or it will affect your play. As a veteran, your name is going to come up. You never really know until they come up to you and say, 'You've been traded.' I don't worry about it because it is out of my control."

Harang agrees that most trades are made without rumors and the rumored trades seldom get done.

"That's what happened when I was traded to the Reds," he said. "I had heard the Mets and the Marlins and some others, but not the Reds. At the last minute I heard, 'You're going to the Reds' and I said, 'Where did that come from?'"

Harang hopes the Reds don't rip up the roster because, "We're not out of it. We can make up two or three games in three days. We lost six in a row on the road and lost only two games. And we have enough games against teams in our division that we can shift things around in one weekend."

Of possible trades, manager Dusty Baker said, "We've been inquiring and search, but everybody wants our top, top guys. I'd hate to be in the AL East because both Boston and New York load up on you late."

Setback for Hanigan

Catcher Ryan Hanigan believed he was nearly ready to return to the lineup Tuesday but he suffered a setback with his stiff neck.

"My spine was out of whack and they had to pop it back in and they think some inflammation was left over, making my recovery slow," he said. "I just keep hoping I'll wake up and it'll feel great. I take treatment all day long and I take it all during the game. It's slow coming back, but it feels better."

Bruce knitting fast

Jay Bruce had a smaller cast put on his fractured right wrist and is doing everything but swinging a bat. His personal diagnosis: "I'll be back in September, closer to six weeks than eight."

Bruce said he is back to normal physical activity, "Like running and throwing and lifting. No hitting yet. When they say so, all I'll have left to do is find my batting stroke."

Bruce will have his current short cast on for 10 days, then he will be evaluating to see if a soft cast is in order.

Burton has asthma

Jared Burton, in the disabled list with shotness of breath and physical weakness, was diagnosed with asthma and is on an inhalant.

"That's good news," he said. "It explains a lot and is a big relief. I knew something was wrong because my body was not recovering. I've never had anything like this, but I can feel the difference already."

Quotes of the day

— A janitor pushed his cleaning cart off the media elevator and said to a writer he recognized, "If you talk to any of the Reds pitchers, tell 'em they have to pitch inside more. It's part of the game."

— Brandon Phillips, an accomplished and often-on-the-lanes bowler: "I wanted to go bowling in Chicago to get my mind off all that losing."

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