Osvaldo Fernandez tuned up for Triple-A Louisville with a smooth performance in a simulated game, demonstrating his recovery from a sore right elbow.

        The Reds reinstated Fernandez from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Louisville after he threw three rounds of 25 pitches apiece to Brooks Kieschnick, Jason LaRue, Alex Ochoa and Chris Sexton.

        “He threw much better than he did the other day (in New York). Much sharper,” McKeon said. “He's not too far away. He had a little zip and a little snap on his breaking ball.”

        Said LaRue, who caught Fernandez earlier this year at Triple-A: “To me, he looks like he's game-ready. It looks like the strength in his arm is back. It looks like he's throwing the same pitches that got him up here.”

        Fernandez probably will need one or two starts before the Reds consider returning him to their rotation. He was 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA when he went on the disabled list, though before his elbow problems affected his pitching he lasted six innings or more in six of seven starts and had an ERA of 2.53.

        ETC.: Without Barry Larkin in the lineup, Juan Castro received his first start at shortstop since June 11 at Cleveland. Larkin was the designated hitter that day. LaRue, recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Louisville, made his first start behind the plate.

        • Florida's Luis Castillo, the NL's second-leading hitter with a .367 average, missed Saturday's game with a strained right hamstring and also might rest today to avoid aggravating the injury on Cinergy Field's artificial turf. Castillo hurt himself while beating out an infield hit in Friday's third inning.

        UP NEXT: Scott Williamson, 2-2 in five starts since moving from the bullpen, will seek his second victory in a row in today's series finale against the Marlins and right-hander Chuck Smith (1-4).

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