MILWAUKEE -- More adjustments to the Reds' rotation came Monday, but manager Bryan Price feels optimistic he has a starting five that could remain a more stable group. Through the first 19 games, Cincinnati had already used eight different starting pitchers.
Price revealed right-hander Rookie Davis will be activated from the 10-day disabled list to start vs. the Brewers on Wednesday. That will move Tim Adleman back in the rotation to Friday against the Cardinals in St. Louis following an off-day. Cody Reed, whose start vs. the Cubs on Saturday lasted just two innings, will move back to the bullpen.
"What you're looking at is our rotation now," Price said. "We have some flexibility if necessary, but the guys in there are capable of performing with enough consistency to keep it as it is."
Davis and Adleman join veterans Scott Feldman and Bronson Arroyo and rookie Amir Garrett in the Reds' rotation.
Davis, who has been on the DL since being hit by a pitch on the right forearm on April 11 vs. the Pirates, threw a bullpen session on Sunday and felt good.
"It's definitely nice to get back out there. It's been a while," Davis said. "I'll just watch these two games [against the Brewers] and get ready for Wednesday, talk to these guys and come out with a win."
Davis used the time off to watch video and make adjustment to his pitches and mechanics.
"I worked on that in my bullpens. I was really pleased with it," Davis said. "The command of that sinker has been huge in the two bullpens I've thrown. It's just a matter of carrying that over into the game."
Adleman allowed two earned runs and four hits over six innings in a no-decision vs. the Cubs to earn the chance to remain in the rotation. It came at the expense of Reed, who was erratic and lacked control in allowing seven earned runs on four hits, including two home runs, and five walks.
The poor start came on the heels of Reed retiring 18 straight over his previous three relief appearances. He was 0-7 with a 7.36 ERA in 10 starts last season in his first taste of the Majors.
"I think there is more comfort right now out of the bullpen," Price said. "There's not as much time to have to sit and think about preparation and game plans. Right now, he's being better served in these shorter stints where he can just come in and get after it.
"With the way we go some of the time with a seven-man bullpen and some of the other starts we've gotten that have been short, we're trying to find the best five guys to give us the innings to take some of the heat off of our bullpen."
Price said Reed's assignment to the bullpen is not a permanent move. At 24, he's viewed as too young to have a definitive role.
"Right now he's better served learning at this level, getting experience at this level," Price said. "We may at some point in time decide to get him to start again. That would probably take some time at Triple-A just to get him stretched out again if too much time goes by."