By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SAN DIEGO - Jason LaRue is two days from rejoining the Reds. It will be a while longer for Austin Kearns.

Barring a setback, LaRue will join the Reds Friday in Los Angeles and be activated in time for the game that night with the Dodgers.

"As long as something unforeseen doesn't happen, we'll activate him then," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said.

LaRue has been on the disabled list since April 29 with a fractured right index figure.

He began a rehab assignment at Louisville Monday. LaRue was a little sore Wednesday after being hit on the neck by a pitch in Tuesday's game.

It looks as if Austin Kearns, who is also on a rehab assignment at Louisville, won't rejoin the club until the 10-day homestand that begins Tuesday.

"We've told Austin that there is no timetable," O'Brien said. "We want to get him hitting like he's capable of hitting."

Kearns has been on the DL since April 28 with a fractured left forearm.

Kearns was hitting only .137 when injury occurred.

VANDER WAL CLOSE: After Reds manager Dave Miley gave the report on John Vander Wal, the next question was:

"Is he meeting you in Los Angeles?"

The answer is no. But it's clear Vander Wal will be able to help the Reds - and soon.

Vander Wal had a single, double and a home run in his first day at extended spring training. He also scored from second on a single and had to slide into home.

"He had a very good first day," Reds trainer Mark Mann said. "He felt good. No pain. No soreness."

Vander Wal was used as a designated hitter. He led off every inning.

"The last time he got on base he got a little fatigued," Mann said. "But, overall, it went great."

Vander Wal tore the ACL in his left knee shoveling snow Jan. 27. He is ahead of schedule as far as his rehab.

Vander Wal, a 37-year-old left-handed hitter, would be a tremendous boost to the Reds bench. He can play left field, right field and first base.

The Reds have been reluctant to put a date on Vander Wal's return, but don't be surprised if he joins the club sometime during the 10-game homestand that follows the current West Coast trip.

JIMMY FREE: Jimmy Haynes, released Monday by the Reds, was not claimed off waivers by another club.

That means Haynes is a free agent, and the Reds will have to pay the rest of his $2.5 million salary.

READY: Right-hander Jose Acevedo is ready for his start tonight.

"The finger is good - 100 percent," he said.

Acevedo had to leave his start on May 5 with a blister on his middle finger of his right hand. The Reds pushed his start back two days to give the finger time to heel.

"I could have pitched (Tuesday)," he said. "But it's better to wait with stuff like this."

Acevedo threw a short bullpen session Tuesday and had no problems.

Acevedo (2-2 with a 4.31 ERA) has made quality starts in four of his seven outings.

ANOTHER START: Tim Hummel, brought up Sunday to take Brandon Larson's roster spot, was in the starting lineup Wednesday for the second straight game.

"It's good to get to play," he said. "I didn't come up here just to watch."

Hummel probably earned the second start with his eighth inning at-bat in the Reds' 6-3 victory over the Padres. He singled in two runs in a nine-pitch at-bat. He was 0-for-3 before that.

Hummel, 25, got his first taste of the majors last year after he was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox as compensation for the Scott Sullivan trade.

MOVING UP: Barry Larkin tied former Red Roy McMillan Wednesday for 12th place on the all-time list of games played at shortstop at 2,028.

"I wasn't aware of that," Larkin said. "I'm just trying to enjoy it while I can, keep playing and keep playing fairly well."