By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos from Wednesday's game

Danny Graves has hated every minute of being on the disabled list. But now that he's about to come off it, he realizes it might have been the best thing for him.

Graves threw his final bullpen session Wednesday. He'll come off the DL Friday.

"It was way better than (Tuesday)," he said. "And I thought (Tuesday) was great."

Graves, who has been on the DL since Aug. 19 with a sore back, thinks the two weeks of rest was what his arm needed.

Pitching coach Don Gullett also was impressed with Wednesday's session.

"Gully said that was the old me," Graves said. "He hadn't seen that in awhile - the velocity, movement. It looked too good to be true."

Graves' arm has been under a lot of stress. He was used as a starter last year and threw a career-high 169 innings. He was very busy as closer earlier this year, reaching a career high for saves by July 11.

"I finally realized going on the DL was a blessing in disguise," Graves said. "Guys told me that it lets you rest another part of your body."

Graves will go right back into the closer's role.

"I don't see why not," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "If there's not a save situation Friday, we'll probably have him throw in the bullpen. He's pitching Saturday regardless."

WILY MO UPDATE: Wily Mo Pena was out of the lineup Wednesday after bruising his left chest wall making a catch Tuesday.

"Not good," Pena said when asked how he felt.

Pena banged the wall with his right shoulder. His shoulder jammed into his chest just under his left collarbone.

TRANSACTION: Paul Wilson, Wednesday's starter, and Brandon Larson were activated from the DL.

Larson had been on the DL since July 19 with a strained hamstring.

Look for him to be used in a limited bench role for the rest of the season.

JIMENEZ RESTS: D'Angelo Jimenez was out of the starting lineup Wednesday. He entered as part of a double switch and went 0-for-2.

Jimenez is second to Adam Dunn in games played with 126. Jimenez, like a lot of Reds, is struggling at the plate. He has three hits in his last 23 at-bats.

Juan Castro started at second base.

WHY NOT FREEL? Ryan Freel started at third base, not second, Wednesday. Freel needs one more start at second to become the first player since Tony Phillips to start 10 games at five different positions. Phillips did it for Detroit in 1991 and '92.

"(Freel) will get that 10th start," Miley said.

FARM REPORT: Right-hander Jake Meyer had another strong outing in Double-A Chattanooga's 7-3 loss to Birmingham Tuesday. Meyer allowed one run on five hits over five innings. Meyer is 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA in three starts since signing with Chattanooga after pitching in the Mexican League.

UP NEXT: The Reds are off today. They begin a six-game road trip with the first of three in Milwaukee Friday, then go to Houston.

Reds notebook