By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's game

NEW YORK - Felipe Lopez's season ended Thursday night with a collision at home plate in Triple-A Louisville's 7-3 victory over the Rochester Red Wings.

Lopez, 23, dislocated his ankle while sliding into catcher Brandon Marsters. The injury was so severe that Lopez was operated on in Rochester, N.Y., rather than returning first to Louisville.

"By all accounts, it was a pretty nasty injury," Reds director of player development Tim Naehring said.

But the prognosis is good.

"The surgeon said it went as well or better than expected," Naehring said. "He thinks Felipe will be ready to go by spring training."

Naehring said Lopez will return to Louisville Monday.

Lopez began the season on the Reds' roster but was sent down to Louisville on June 16 after hitting .213 with two home runs and 13 RBI. He struck out 59 times in 197 at-bats.

Lopez was hitting .280 at the time of his injury.

At the time of Lopez's demotion to Louisville, the Reds said he was still considered the club's shortstop of the future even though his demotion was prompted by Ray Olmedo outplaying him.

"He just needs some time," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "He showed in the time here that he can do everything that's needed from him. It's a matter of maturing."

The injury shouldn't have a long-term effect on Lopez's career.

"People come back from these types of injuries," trainer Mark Mann said. "It's not easy, but they do."

Short-term, the injury will cost Lopez a September call-up and a chance to play winter ball. Shortstop is one of the positions open for the Reds next year - Barry Larkin is in the final year of his contract - and Lopez, Olmedo and Juan Castro could be candidates to fill it.

The Reds also might consider moving third baseman Aaron Boone there.

KEARNS HITS: Austin Kearns was one of about a half-dozen Reds to take early batting practice Friday.

"He looked rusty," Bob Boone said. "I'm not worried about how he's hitting as much as if he's getting directly to the ball and not cheating with his body."

The Reds won't activate Kearns until his shoulder is pain-free. Kearns injured the shoulder May 21 when Atlanta's Ray King fell on him in a collision at the plate.

"We want the pain out of there," Boone said. "I don't know if that will be four days or four weeks."

LARSON IN LEFT: Brandon Larson made his first start since returning from Triple-A Louisville, in left field.

"I've played it a little bit," he said of the position. "If that's a way to get some playing time, that's fine. I'll play left."

Larson played only one game in left field for Louisville, but he started seven games for the Reds there last year and did not make an error in 13 chances.

CASEY, LARKIN SIT: Larkin and first baseman Sean Casey were out of the lineup Friday night.

Larkin still is troubled by a sore right hamstring.

"He's sore," Boone said. "But he's available to pinch-hit. We thought it was a cramp, but it looks like a strain."

Boone wasn't sure if the injury would require a trip to the DL.

"We'll wait a while before we do that," Boone said.

Larkin pinch hit and flied out.

Casey has a sore groin and Achilles tendon.

STREAKING: D'Angelo Jimenez extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games with two hits Friday. The streak encompasses all 15 games he's been a Red.

DADDY WILLIAMSON: Scott Williamson was not with the team Friday. Williamson's wife Lisa was scheduled to have labor induced. It will be their first child.

GUILLEN IN: Jose Guillen didn't hear anything on the appeal of his suspension for bumping umpire Matt Hollowell. His hearing was Wednesday.

"I'm in the lineup," Guillen said. "It's the weekend now. Nothing's going to happen (today)."

FARM REPORT: Ty Howington went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits, in Single-A Potomac's 5-4 loss to Kinston.

Howington, the Reds' No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft, was promoted to Double-A Chattanooga afterward. He was 4-2 with a 1.65 ERA in his last eight starts for Potomac.