By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - It was just another spring training game - a chance for pitchers to build arm strength, a chance for hitters to get some at-bats.

Pitcher Jose Acevedo started for the Reds Sunday. (Michael E. Keating photo)

But for Jose Acevedo, it was a lot more than that. The two innings Acevedo threw in the Reds' 7-4, 11-inning loss to Minnesota was a milestone.

"I've been waiting seven months for this moment," Acevedo said. "It felt good to be back out there."

Acevedo hasn't been in a game, throwing against guys in different uniforms, since Aug. 6. He was pitching against the Los Angeles Dodgers that night and throwing well. It was a 1-0 game in the third.

Acevedo was walking down the steps of the dugout after completing a 1-2-3 inning when he slipped and twisted his left ankle.

At the time, it seemed like a humorous little anecdote that nicely summed up the Reds' season: "Pitcher misses start after tripping on dugout steps."

At the time, nobody knew how serious it was. Acevedo rehabbed with the hope of returning before the season was over.

But the ankle did not respond.

"We tried seven weeks of rehab - nothing," Acevedo said.

He had arthroscopic surgery after the season to repair the ankle, and was held back early in spring training. Acevedo says he's 100 percent now.

"I don't feel it when I pitch at all," he said. "I can do everything I need to do."

Acevedo was effective in his return. He allowed a run on two hits. He struck out two and walked none.

"He threw the ball well," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "He kept the ball down for the most part. "

Acevedo, the 26-year-old right-hander, is one of three prime contenders for the two open spots in the Reds' rotation. Brandon Claussen and Aaron Harang are the others. Rule 5 pick D.J. Mattox was in the mix, but a sore elbow has turned him into a longshot at best.

The Reds won't likely make a decision until the last week of spring training.

"There's a long way to go," Miley said. "The guys who are getting a chance to compete have thrown well. None of them has done anything to hurt themselves."

Based on last year, Acevedo, who was 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA in four starts, could declare that he deserves one of the spots, regardless of what happens this spring. But don't expect him to do that.

"I'm not going to say that," he said. "I'm like everyone else fighting for a job."

Somewhere along the line, Acevedo fell out of favor with the previous Reds administration.

He was 18-9 with a 3.34 ERA at Triple-A Louisville over the past two years. But, even with all the injuries the club had last year, he wasn't called up until July 19.

"I was a little bit surprised," he said. "When (then Louisville-manager) Miley called me to tell me I was going up, I thought I was traded."

Acevedo would seem poised to have a good year. His stuff - he throws up to 94 mph - is as good as anyone's on the starting staff.

He has been successful at every stop in the minors, going 53-36 with a 3.69 ERA.

But he was 5-7 with a 5.44 ERA after the Reds rushed him to the majors in 2001.

He made the club out of spring training in 2002. But a bad start on May 19 of that year - he was 4-2 with a 7.23 ERA at the time - started his exile in Louisville.

All that time in Louisville could help Acevedo now. Miley was the manager during the pitcher's successful stints.

"That gives me more confidence in myself," Acevedo said. "I think I'm going to get a good opportunity with Miley. He knows what I can do."

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com