CINCINNATI -- It's the kind of week where many players can be distracted by rumors, gossip and asking questions like "where am I going?"

On Monday, Reds reliever David Weathers was an example of a player wondering where he might next be pitching. Weathers has frequented rumors in recent days as several teams are seeking bullpen help, including the Dodgers. Last week, a friend called to tell him he heard he was headed to the Rangers.

As is often the case as the July 31 Trade Deadline approaches, nothing has been substantiated -- yet.

"I'd like to stay," said Weathers, who has a one-year deal for this season that doesn't contain any no-trade clauses. "I don't want to go anywhere. But I have no control over it."

This season in 39 games, Weathers is 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA. He last pitched on Friday vs. the Cubs and allowed a solo homer.

Weathers isn't the only reliever whose name has been bandied about. Closer Francisco Cordero and setup man Arthur Rhodes have also circulated in rumors, as have starting pitchers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo.

The Reds are currently in fifth place and 7 1/2 games back in the National League Central with a 45-53 record. A 0-6 road trip through Los Angeles and Chicago and a 2-8 start after the All-Star break intensified selling rumors.

Of course, those same rumors can dissipate some if the Reds can somehow rebound this week and become buyers in the eyes of speculators.

"If we get a sweep [of the Padres] or win three of four, that might make them think again," Weathers said of the Reds front office. "And what if the same people in front of us lose three or four in a row?"

This week, the first-place Cubs are playing the third-place Astros, while the second-place Cardinals opened a series against the Dodgers.

"These are the times when you have to really buckle down, tighten up and fight through it," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of the Reds' situation on the brink. "It's a big homestand for us. We have some teams in our division playing other tough teams. We can gain on somebody."

Pitching matchup
CIN: RHP Bronson Arroyo (10-9, 5.21)
In a 6-2 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday, Arroyo was charged with five earned runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings with four walks and eight strikeouts. He had six strikeouts through his first three innings. His undoing came in the sixth with one out when he loaded the bases with two walks and a single. After he was lifted, reliever Nick Masset gave up a Manny Ramirez grand slam. Since being acquired by the Reds before the 2006 season, Arroyo leads all Major League pitchers with 123 starts and is third in the NL with 775 2/3 innings pitched.

SD: RHP Kevin Correia (6-8, 4.84 ERA)
Correia, who has easily been the Padres' most dependable starter this season with Jake Peavy and Chris Young each stuck on the disabled list, was hit hard in his previous start on July 23 against the Phillies. Correia yielded a season-high eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. That also marked his shortest stint of the season. He had previously lasted only 3 2/3 innings in a start on May 4. Correia finished with three walks and two strikeouts.

Reds notes:
Jonny Gomes had two homers on Monday for the sixth multi-homer game of his career. ... Edwin Encarnacion hit a homer Monday into the left-field bleachers for the seventh time in his career -- more than any other player. ... the Reds are 23-22 at home this season.

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Up next
• Wednesday: Reds (Aaron Harang, 5-11, 4.25) vs. Padres (Mat Latos, 1-1, 3.72), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Reds (Johnny Cueto, 8-7, 3.78) vs. Padres (Tim Stauffer, 0-2, 3.21), 12:35 p.m. ET
• Friday: Reds (TBA) vs. Rockies (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET