SARASOTA, Fla. — Austin Kearns returned to Reds camp Tuesday after a two-day unexcused absence.

        Kearns went AWOL after the Reds informed him he was going to Double-A Chattanooga and not Triple-A Louisville. He met with general manager Jim Bowden and director of player development Tim Naehring Tuesday morning.

        “The meeting went extremely well,” Bowden said. “Austin didn't understand all the factors that went into the decision. We cleared that up.”

        Kearns, the Reds' No.1 pick in 1998, was not punished or fined.

        “It was good,” Kearns said. “They cleared some things up. I never had a problem with Chattanooga. But right from the outset, I was told the plan was otherwise. It was a matter of communication.”

        Kearns came into camp with a chance to win the Reds' right-field job. But he was sent down after hitting only .111 in 18 at-bats. He thought he'd go to Louisville, which would be big for Kearns, who grew up in Lexington.

        “We told him if he has a problem to go to his manager, then the farm director, then the GM,” Bowden said. “Austin is only 21 years old. Most players his age are in college or rookie ball. We agreed that communication is 50 percent the club, 50 percent the player.

        “It's a dead issue.”

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