By Bill Koch and John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's game

Thirty-five days after he signed his first professional contract, right-hander Ryan Wagner, the Reds' top pick in the June free-agent draft, has been promoted to the big-league roster.

Wagner, who will join the Reds today, will be the first Reds' No. 1 selection to make his major league debut the same year he was drafted. He'll take the roster spot created by the club's decision to place right-handed reliever Scott Sullivan on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder retroactive to July 14.

Sullivan, 6-0, with a 3.86 ERA, has appeared in 45 games this season, more than any other Reds pitcher. He has tried to pitch through the soreness in his shoulder, but Reds manager Bob Boone said he prefers to allow Sullivan to rest the shoulder so that the soreness disappears completely for the final two months of the season.

"He's been pitching with it," Boone said, "but (Thursday) night he was particularly sore. Basically the prescription for that is rest."

Wagner was drafted with the 14th overall selection. He was originally assigned to Class AA Chattanooga, where he did not allow a run in five relief appearances covering five innings and struck out six. He was promoted to Class AAA Louisville on July 3 and went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four relief appearances. He allowed two earned runs in one inning in his first appearance at Louisville, then did not allow a run in any of his last three appearances.

Wagner, who turned 21 Tuesday, will be the youngest Reds pitcher to make his major league debut since Rosario Rodriguez debuted in 1989 at 20 years, 55 days.

To make room for Wagner on the 40-man roster, the Reds were expected to place Ken Griffey Jr. on the 60-day disabled list today.

ACEVEDO IN BULLPEN

Right-hander Jose Acevedo arrived in Cincinnati along with his former Louisville teammate, outfielder Ruben Mateo, at about noon Friday. They had to fly all night from Ottawa, where they learned they had been summoned to the big leagues in the aftermath of the injuries to Griffey and Austin Kearns.

Acevedo sported stylish blond hair, quite a contrast to the buzz cut he wore last year while with the Reds.

"I've been shaving my head for the last few years," Acevedo said. "I was just trying to make some changes, looking for some good luck. I feel like it worked. I like it."

Acevedo, 25, was 6-2 with a 3.43 ERA at Louisville. He made his first 26 appearances this season out of the bullpen before he was moved into the starting rotation for his last three outings. He said he's been told that he will spend the first day or two in the bullpen, and then assume the fifth starter's spot.

But Boone said that's not necessarily the case.

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," Boone said. "It depends on what happens to the bullpen. He'll go into the bullpen tonight and we'll see where we are and see who I have to use."

Boone said he doesn't know who will start in that fifth spot in the rotation on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"We still have the three options available for Monday," he said. "We could call somebody up from the minor leagues, we could make a trade, or we could do a bullpen day. In that case, (Felix) Heredia, Acevedo (John) Riedling and (Brian) Reith would be the candidates. One of them would start and they would all do a couple of innings. But that all depends on if my bullpen is loaded up."

Acevedo was 4-2 with a 7.23 ERA in six games as a Red last year.

MATEO'S CHANCE

Reggie Taylor started in center field Friday night, but Boone said Taylor will share the position with Mateo, who's back for a second stint with the Reds this season. He was sent down to Louisville on May 13.

"I'm going to give Ruben a pretty good shot," Boone said. "He's swinging as good as he's swung. Let's see if he's ready to step up and do it in the big leagues."

Mateo, 25, hit .327 with 9 home runs and 50 RBI in 57 games at Louisville.

"When they sent me down, I just worked hard and tried to do my best like I always do," Mateo said. "I told myself I'll play hard, do what I have to do and see what happens."

NO WHITE

The Reds were hoping Gabe White would be close to returning to Louisville for a rehab stint. But White isn't even ready to throw off the bullpen mound.

"I'm still feeling pain," he said. "I'm not going back on the mound until I'm pain-free."

White has been on the DL since June 25 with a strained right groin. He threw an inning at Louisville last week.

"That probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done," he said.

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E-mail at bkoch@enquirer.com