MIAMI - Whatever the Cincinnati Reds eventually accomplish this season, they might have to do it without Matt McLain, after all.

McLain had the start of his minor-league rehab assignment pushed back because of last week's setback because of a "minor" rib-cage injury, putting into jeopardy his effort to return this season from shoulder surgery.

Manager David Bell said he texted Thursday with McLain, who told the manager "he was having some progress and feeling better."

"I don't know what that means for the timeframe of the rehab assignment," Bell added. "But that was encouraging."

For now it means he's not expected to start his rehab assignment Monday as originally scheduled, Bell said.

McLain, who had surgery in March after injuring his shoulder diving for a ball during practice in spring training, anticipated a late-August return to the Reds lineup after four months of progress with the shoulder.

Then came the stress reaction in his rib cage last week that developed during daily batting practice, forcing what was expected to be a shutdown of three to seven days.

"Apparently, it's not a very big deal," Bell said at the time. "We might just have to let the symptoms subside and then get back at it."

The team remained optimistic at that point that McLain might still start the rehab assignment on time Monday.

McLain, the Reds best player as a rookie last season, has been adamant about his desire to play this season and how important that is to him.

"I got hurt in mid-August last year, so it's been a year," he said two weeks ago in Atlanta, where he joined the team for a few days. "I want to play. I don't care where the team's at; I want to play. I need to be in the right spot, and I need to be healthy. But I'm on that path right now, so there's no reason to feel otherwise."