By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LOS ANGELES - Jason LaRue traveled alone from Louisville to Los Angeles.

But if LaRue had his way, he would have brought Austin Kearns with him.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Friday's game

The Reds activated LaRue, who was on the disabled list with a broken right middle finger, in time for Friday's game with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Reds are taking a more conservative approach with Kearns, who is on the DL with a fractured left forearm.

Kearns and LaRue were both on rehab assignments at Triple-A Louisville. Reds general manager Dan O'Brien says Kearns won't be called up until they're satisfied he's hitting the way he's capable.

LaRue says Kearns is.

"Austin looks the best I've seen him all year," LaRue said. "It would have been great to have him here today. From what I've seen, he's ready."

Kearns, who hit .137 in 17 games before he was hurt, played well in the first three games of the rehab stint. Going into Friday, he was hitting .333 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two walks.

Because the Reds didn't bring up Kearns Friday with Dodgers left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii pitching, it's unlikely he'll be activated before the club returns home Tuesday to start a 10-game homestand.

LaRue, meanwhile, was in the lineup Friday night.

"I feel good, great," LaRue said.

The finger did not affect his throwing.

"Pretty much since the second day I got the splint off, I could throw normally," he said. "It didn't affect my accuracy."

The Reds have struggled since the two starters went out in two days. The Reds won the game in which Kearns was hurt to go to 12-7. They've gone 6-10 since.