Sheb back with Reds after rehab assignment

CHICAGO -- The Reds reinstated right fielder Scott Schebler (Sheb) from his Minor League rehabilitation assignment before Saturday afternoon's 10-6 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Schebler had been on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder from when he crashed into the outfield wall in St. Louis on July 14.
:: Players' Weekend presented by Valspar Stain ::
• Reds' Players' Weekend nicknames | Shop for gear
"No pain, no pain at all," Schebler said. "I made probably about six or seven legit throws down there and none of them felt any pain, so that was good."
Originally expected to return for the series opener against the Cubs on Thursday, Schebler played in an extra game with Double-A Pensacola that day before traveling Friday to rejoin the Reds on Saturday.
"I just needed an extra day to get my timing," Schebler said. "It had nothing to do with strength. I felt good the whole time I was there. It was more beneficial for me and the team just to get those four extra at-bats."
Schebler, who went 1-for-5 in the leadoff spot on Saturday, acknowledged his offensive numbers during his rehab assignment "weren't that good." He went 4-for-26 in his seven rehab games with Pensacola. However, Schebler said, it was more important to make sure his swing felt strong and he got his timing back. Outcomes were secondary.
"Fully expect to pick up where I left off," Schebler said. "It was a lot longer process than I thought, but to be healthy and feel good and feel strong is where I want to be."
Schebler is batting .277 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs in 77 Major League games this season.
With Joey Votto (In Flanders Fields) still on the disabled list and Jesse Winker (Wink) out for the season, interim manager Jim Riggleman said the most valuable part of Schebler's return is that the team is gaining a solid left-handed hitter.
"I'm partial to left-handed hitters," Riggleman said. "Generally, if you can have three or four left-handed hitters to offset some of that tough right-handed pitching that you get out there 70 percent of the time, it's a nice weapon.
"We're just really anxious to get him back in there."
In a corresponding move, the Reds optioned outfielder Aristides Aquino to Pensacola.

Votto's return
Votto was originally expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list for Sunday's series finale at Wrigley, but the Reds could delay his return until Tuesday at home against the Brewers, with Monday being an off-day.
"I don't know if he's going to play tomorrow," Riggleman said. "We're weighing that as to -- with Monday being an off-day -- to just push it to Tuesday. The trainers and Joey are going to make that decision. I'm going to leave that up to them."
Votto was placed on the disabled list with a lower right leg contusion on Aug. 17, retroactive to Aug. 16. He sustained the injury on Aug. 4, when Nationals reliever Ryan Madson hit him with a 96.2-mph fastball.

Five-man rotation in place
The Reds have been using a six-man rotation for a little over a month now, though they were originally expecting to do so only for one or two turns through.
Now that Cincinnati is officially keeping Matt Harvey (Harv) for the remainder of the season, Riggleman said his club with return to a normal five-man rotation, beginning Tuesday against the Brewers. With the off-day on Monday, Riggleman said the Reds are still deciding what the set rotation will be.