Brett Tomko, taken out of the rotation for one turn last week, will pitch Thursday for San Francisco in the finale of a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. But the Giants are weighing what to do with struggling left-hander Kirk Rueter (2-7), whose winless stretch reached nine starts in Monday's 11-10 loss. Manager Felipe Alou said the team had discussed "generalities about pitching," but had yet to address Rueter's situation in particular. "I haven't talked to Rueter and we haven't talked about him," Alou said. "So far, everything is the same. ... Tomorrow's a big day, because the starter will throw on the side to prepare. If we don't say anything or do anything, he's going to start." Tomko was the Giants' top pitcher down the stretch last season and began this year as the team's No. 3 starter behind Jason Schmidt and Rueter. Tomko went 5-1 with a 1.43 ERA over his final eight 2004 starts, but had a rough stretch recently -- including lasting just 2 2-3 innings in the biggest shutout loss in San Francisco history, a 16-0 defeat to the Oakland Athletics on June 26. Despite rumors the Giants might try to deal Schmidt, the club says it won't happen. The ace, just 6-4 with a 5.11 ERA in 15 starts this year, hasn't been himself this season. Meanwhile, injured closer Armando Benitez threw on the field and is hopeful he'll be pitching from a mound before long. Benitez is recovering from surgery to repair two torn hamstring tendons.