"Missing out on acquiring pitcher Cliff Lee was a blow to psyche of the Reds camp. Adding an ace just before the second half of the season begins would have been a tremendous boost for the team as it tries to keep its grip on first place in the National League Central.

But the Reds are getting close to adding a pitcher.

Sometime over the next five days - probably Saturday - right-hander Edinson Volquez will rejoin the rotation.

"We're adding a borderline ace from our organization," left fielder Jonny Gomes said. "That's big."

Volquez, 27, a right-hander, is returning ahead of schedule from Aug. 3 "Tommy John" ligament-replacement surgery on his throwing elbow.

He was dominant in his rehabilitation assignment, going a combined 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA with Single-A Lynchburg and Triple-A Louisville. He pitched seven innings of one-hit shutout ball in his last outing for Louisville.

The Reds thought about starting Volquez in their final game before the All-Star break, but decided against it.

"We'd rather have him over-ready than under-ready," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Volquez's first season with the Reds - he went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 2008 - is better than the best season by anyone on the current staff.

All indications are he's ready to be that guy again.

"He looked good," said catcher Ryan Hanigan, who caught Volquez twice at Triple-A Louisville. "For where he's at in terms of arm strength is pretty impressive. Obviously, he's trying to get his feel back. His change-up is lights-out. His fastball is definitely getting better. He has pitched well.

"He's going to want to get to the point where he was - that's dominating. He's pretty close. The fifth, sixth inning are going to be harder because he hasn't thrown that much.""