Mark Wohlers, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Louisville, replaced right-hander Andy Larkin on the Reds' roster Wednesday.

        Larkin, who was claimed off waivers by Kansas City, posted a 5.40 ERA in three Cincinnati appearances.

        Wohlers is on the brink of completing a comeback that seemed impossible only last year, when the Atlanta Braves traded him to the Reds. Wohlers suffered first from an anxiety disorder and then from torn ligaments in his right elbow.

        But after undergoing extensive surgery, Wohlers regained not only his fastball but also his control. Though the former relief ace's minor-league statistics weren't stunning (1-2, 5.70 ERA in 20 games at Single-A Dayton and Louisville), he impressed Reds observers with his fastball and breaking pitches.

        Pitching coach Don Gullett will be focusing on the latter.

        “That's the big question,” Gullett said. “The velocity on his fastball has been 93-96 mph.

        “He has plenty of velocity to be successful at the big-league level. But you have to have offspeed stuff to go with it.”

Join the discussion with other fans in our Reds forum.

Larkin still willing to forge a deal SULLIVAN: Larkin's price too high Fans to Reds: Don't let Larkin go Reds 4, Astros 0 Box, runs Wohlers called up Sullivan to appeal suspension Captain Hook's style caught on Ballpark cost cut by $17M

• Return to Reds front page...