By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The status of the Reds' starting rotation clarified some Friday, even as Aaron Harang was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Paul Wilson, who missed his last scheduled start because of a groin strain, will start against the Expos today.

But with Harang going on the DL because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow, the Reds will recall somebody from Triple-A Louisville to pitch against the A's at Oakland on Tuesday.

"It was a situation where (Harang) was definitely going to miss one start," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "The joint opinion was, we're going to need a starter, so let's go ahead and put him on the DL and make sure everything heals properly."

Harang had an MRI performed on the elbow Thursday. Results showed some inflammation, but no structural damage.

The move is retroactive to Wednesday, meaning Harang will be eligible to come off the disabled list June 17.

The ligament sprain helps explain the tightness Harang experienced in his past two starts. Harang allowed nine earned runs on 19 hits in 9 1/3 innings.

"It's better to take care of it right away than miss more time later on," he said. "I felt it some (May 27), but it loosened up. This last time (June 1), it got tight and I couldn't get it loose."

With Wilson starting today, the Reds' rotation is set through Monday.

Todd Van Poppel will pitch against the Expos on Sunday, and Cory Lidle will pitch against Oakland on Monday.

Of the five starters currently at Louisville, Matt Belisle is already on schedule to pitch Tuesday.

The right-hander is 4-5 with a 4.86 ERA in 11 starts this season. In his latest outing, against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Belisle allowed five runs on 11 hits over six innings.

Left-hander Brandon Claussen started Friday, and righty Bubba Nelson (1-7, 5.92) is scheduled to pitch today.

The remaining starters at Louisville are Jung Keun Bong (4-4, 4.89) and Seth Etherton (1-1, 4.97).

Bong and Nelson were acquired from the Braves for Chris Reitsma in March.

Enquirer staff writer John Fay contributed to this report.