Reds activate Freel, recall Kearns

CINCINNATI -- Austin Kearns and Ryan Freel are coming back.

The Reds called up Kearns from Triple-A Louisville and activated Freel from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, placing outfielder Kenny Kelly and infielder Anderson Machado on waivers.

Kelly was quickly claimed off waivers by the Nationals, and Machado was claimed by the Rockies.

The long-anticipated return of Kearns came after he played 28 games for the Bats. In that span, he hit .342 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs.

Kearns, the Opening Day starter in right field, struggled for the Reds this season, hitting .224 with six homers and 25 RBIs. He was sent down June 12 and was put on a program that focused on improving his performance at the plate as well as his conditioning.

The 25-year-old Kearns is expected to arrive in Cincinnati sometime during the 7:10 p.m. ET game against the Cubs.

Freel, who hasn't played for the Reds since the June 18 game against the Braves, had been out with an inflamed second toe on his left foot. He made five rehab appearances with Double-A Chattanooga in the past week, batting .176 (3-for-17) at the plate.

In Freel's absence, Rich Aurilia has been the everyday man at second base. Manager Jerry Narron said earlier this week that he expects Freel to see time at second, third and in the outfield upon his return. He was in the starting lineup at second base Wednesday night, batting leadoff.

Freel was in the starting lineup at second base Wednesday night, batting leadoff. He's hitting .287 with two homers, nine RBIs and 21 stolen bases for the Reds this season.

Kelly appeared in seven games for the Reds and hit .326 in 61 games at Louisville. He was on the disabled list for three weeks following June 23 arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee.

Machado spent most of the season on the disabled list following January 28 arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn medial collateral ligament and torn meniscus in his left knee. He was reinstated on July 6 and appeared in two games for the Reds, both as a pinch-hitter.