By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's game

Reds officials spent part of Friday watching Russell Branyan work out at Great American Ball Park.

Rehabilitating from off-season shoulder surgery with Triple-A Louisville, Branyan took fly balls in left field and threw to home plate as part of the workout.

"He's coming along well but is a little ways away, but he's swinging well and playing every day," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "We'd like to have him back, but I think realistically you'd like him back when he could play consecutive days."

Branyan had a .391 batting average through his first seven games for Louisville. He is expected to begin playing third base for the Bats this weekend.

If there are no setbacks, the Reds could recall Branyan in the next 10 days to two weeks and have him play either outfield or infield. That timetable could be moved up if the Reds want his left-handed bat off the bench.

HIS TURN: Ruben Mateo and Reggie Taylor had their chance.

Now it's Jose Guillen's turn in the outfield.

Boone started Guillen in right field for the second consecutive game Friday.

"All of them are capable in the outfield," Boone said. "I'm trying to see who will spark us a little bit."

After Austin Kearns was injured in late August last season, Guillen filled in and hit four homers and led the club with 16 RBI in September.

"This is my chance," he said. "They gave me a chance last year. I think I did a decent job. Hopefully I can just do the same thing I did last year. It's a pretty good opportunity."

LASTING IMPRESSION: The Dodgers left their mark at Great American upon the conclusion of their series against the Reds.

There was a sizeable hole in the clubhouse wall, and one large cooler was damaged.

The Reds plan to bill whoever did the damage.

LARKIN UPDATE: Friday's rain prevented shortstop Barry Larkin from testing his injured left calf.

He is eligible to come off the disabled list today. But it's likely he instead will be activated in time for Tuesday's game at Colorado.

ODDS AND ENDS: Pitcher Ryan Dempster will donate $25 for every strikeout and $250 for every victory he gets this season to the Greater Cincinnati Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. ... HOK Sport, which designed Great American Ball Park, will receive an award today in Wichita, Kan., for the site planning and urban design aspects of the stadium.

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E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com