By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

When Austin Kearns' right shoulder didn't improve over the All-Star break, the Reds decided to shut him down completely.

Kearns was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Thursday's game with the Houston Astros, retroactive to July 9.

An examination by team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek revealed an inflammation in the rotator cuff.

Kearns' spot on the roster will be taken by right-hander Jose Acevedo.

The Reds were worried when Kearns still felt pain after the All-Star break. The three-day break followed a five-game stretch in which Kearns did not play.

"He's improved a lot in the last eight days," trainer Mark Mann said. "He only feels pain when he lists him arm all the way over his head. We think over the next seven days he'll be pain-free."

Kearns is eligible to return July 24. Mann expects hit to be ready, or close to ready, by then.

Having Kearns on the active roster and trying not to play him isn't always easy.

"It put pressure on me," Boone said. "I try not use him because he hasn't hit (in batting practice for four or five days). But then you get to really critical situations, you think, "Is this critical enough?' "

Kearns' production dropped off severely after the injury occurred May 21 when Atlanta pitcher Ray King fell on him in a collision at the plate.

Kearns hit .309 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI in the 45 games before the injury. He's hitting .209 with two home runs and 14 RBI in the 37 games since.

ACEVEDO TO START? Acevedo, a 25-year-old right-hander, becomes the top candidate to start when the Reds return to a five-man rotation next week.

The club needs a starter for Monday. Acevedo was scheduled to start Thursday at Triple-A Louisville, but didn't because of the call-up by the Reds.

Acevedo was 6-2 with a 3.43 ERA at Louisville. He moved into the starting rotation two weeks ago. Thursday would have been his fourth start.

But Boone would not commit to starting Acevedo.

"We haven't decided yet," he said. "We'll see how the bullpen fares the next few days. We'll see who's the most rested."

He said relievers Chris Reitsma, John Riedling and Brian Reith would be considered.

LA RUE BACK: Catcher Jason LaRue was back in the starting lineup after missing 12 of the Reds' last 13 games with a severely bruised shoulder. He took batting practice while at home in San Antonio over the All-Star break.

"It felt pretty good," LaRue said. "I still feel (the injury) a little."

LaRue suffered the injury when he was hit by a Jason Davis pitch in Cleveland on June 29. He aggravated the injury making a tag July 4.

WHITE UPDATE: Left-hander Gabe White, on the DL since June 25 because of a strained left groin, played catch Thursday and then threw in the bullpen.

"We'll give him a day or two or off," Boone said. "Then hopefully, he'll throw an inning in a game in Louisville."

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