By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOENIX - Barry Larkin was back in the lineup for Wednesday night's Reds-Arizona Diamondbacks game, but don't look for Larkin to be an everyday player for the rest of year.

Larkin missed a week after aggravating the scar tissue around the hernia he had repaired two years ago.

"It was probably partly him and partly me," Reds manager Dave Miley said, "but we pushed it pretty hard the last time. He was swinging it so well and we were struggling."

Larkin had a six-game hitting streak (11-for-22, .500) entering Wednesday.

Larkin plans to be more cautious this time.

"I probably have to not really push it," he said. "That's how I got in this situation."

Miley probably will play Larkin the way former manager Bob Boone did - about five out of seven days.

"I don't see him playing seven of seven," Miley said.

Larkin tested himself before Tuesday's game.

"I felt pretty good," Larkin said. "I could still feel it a little bit. But the big thing was I didn't have any adverse reaction (Wednesday morning)."

FREEL AFTER ALL: The Reds called up Ryan Freel from Triple-A Louisville to take the spot of Brandon Larson on the 25-man roster.

The Reds had looked outside the organization but were unable to get anything done.

This is Freel's fourth stint with the Reds. Freel hit .262 with three stolen bases in 18 games in his previous time with the Reds.

He hit .274 with three home runs, 12 RBI and 25 steals in 54 games at Louisville.

Miley didn't waste any time getting him in the lineup.

Freel started in left field and hit leadoff against Randy Johnson. Freel had started 10 previous games for the Reds - all at second base. He did play eight games in the outfield for Louisville. He made one major-league appearance in the outfield for Toronto.

"I'm pretty comfortable out there," he said. "I'll take some balls before the game, because I haven't played out there in three weeks or so."

Freel wondered if the Reds might go another way when two days passed after Larson was put on the DL.

"You can't help but think about it," he said. "But I'm glad to be here. It's always great to be back."

PLAYING ROTATION: With Larkin back, Ray Olmedo was on the bench Wednesday.

Miley said he would try to mix in Olmedo, Freel and Juan Castro backing up Larkin at shortstop and playing third base.

"All three are going to play some," he said. "A lot will depend on Barry."

CORKY FRIDAY? Catcher Corky Miller may get his first start of the year Friday.

"If I'm going to start him, it'll be with (Seth) Etherton," Miley said.

Miller and Etherton have been together all year at Louisville, so Miller has caught him often.

FARM REPORT: Second-round draft pick Thomas Pauly had his best outing for Single-A Dayton Tuesday.

He allowed an unearned run on one hit over five innings in a 2-1 loss to Fort Wayne. He struck out four and walked none.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Danny Graves (4-13, 5.18 ERA) faces former Reds right-hander Elmer Dessens (6-7, 4.94) tonight.