Interested Brenly says he hasn't heard from Reds

WASHINGTON -- Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly said he hasn't heard from the Reds about their managerial opening, despite a report in Cincinnati saying the former big-league catcher and World Series-champion manager was on a short list of candidates.

''It's all rumors. I haven't heard anything from anybody,'' said Brenly, who added that if he got a call, ''I'd be interested in talking.''

Brenly managed the Diamondbacks from 2001 to '04, including a seven-game World Series victory over the Yankees in 2001.

The Reds reportedly have contacted former Cub Joe Girardi about the job, and interim manager Pete Mackanin has a strong relationship with general manager Wayne Krivsky.

Despite the suggestion earlier in the week that closer Ryan Dempster (strained left oblique muscle) had a shot to return from the disabled list on his first eligible day Sunday, the Cubs have no intention of rushing him back before the four-day All-Star break that starts the next day.

''I still could be ready,'' said Dempster, who's scheduled for side work today and a simulated game this weekend in Pittsburgh. ''But it's still a little sore there. The pain's gone, but I can still feel it in there.''

Catcher Rob Bowen's 0-for-3 game Wednesday made him hitless in 23 at-bats since he walked twice and singled in his first three plate appearances for the Cubs.

In fact, when Koyie Hill grounded out as a pinch hitter to end the game, it dropped the two-man Cubs catching corps to 5-for-48 (.104) since the trade of offensive-minded catcher Michael Barrett to San Diego two weeks ago for Bowen and a minor-leaguer. Barrett was hitting .286 through Tuesday since the trade.

''Those ruts are going to happen,'' said Bowen, who worked on hitting mechanics Tuesday with manager Lou Piniella. ''I've only got 100 at-bats so far this year, so I'm still young in the season and still growing and coming into my own.

''All you can do is go out there and try to get a quality at-bat. I had a few quality at-bats today.''

The catchers' hitting hasn't prevented the Cubs from going 10-4 since the Barrett trade.

Mark DeRosa, who started at his third position in three days, extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a second-inning single. He's one short of last year's career-high streak.

•   Piniella on walking Ryan Zimmerman intentionally to load the bases with one out in the fifth for Dmitri Young, who hit a grand slam: ''We tried to set up a double play, but the shortstop doesn't play in the bullpen.''