"Edinson Volquez was reinstated to the Reds' rotation and will start tonight, with Aaron Harang bumped to the bullpen.

"He handled it very professionally," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Harang. "It's a very unusual situation for him and for us. He'll come in and give us a couple innings here and there."

Harang has been a starter almost exclusively since arriving in the majors with Oakland in 2002. Since joining the Reds via trade on July 30, 2003, Harang has started 212 times in 214 appearances.

Harang was not at his locker Friday during the time reporters were allowed in the clubhouse.

Harang was scheduled to start tonight. The Reds had mulled a switch since Harang allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings in his last outing, Monday at Colorado.

Harang (6-7, 5.15 ERA) has struggled since coming off the disabled list Aug. 31, having allowed seven runs (five earned) in 6 1/3 innings. It has continued a career slide for Harang, who was 32-17 for the Reds over the 2006-07 seasons but 18-38 since.

Volquez (3-2, 6.17 ERA) recently went to Single-A Dayton to work on his mechanics, and he made two starts there.

Volquez pitched Monday for Dayton and went six innings. He allowed two earned runs and six hits, fanned 10 and walked three. Volquez said he was able to straighten out a problem with his arm angle on his change-up.

"I'm glad to be back in the big leagues, especially now, to help our team," Volquez said.

STILL OUT: Right fielder Jay Bruce (strained right side) missed his 10th straight game Friday. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera (strained left oblique) missed his third straight start.

Both players could miss the Pirates series, as they try to heal for the playoff push.

"I want to be 100 percent," Bruce said. "Not 90 percent. Not 80 percent."

Bruce continues to take batting practice.

"I'm healthy, I'm ready to go," Bruce said. "Hopefully in the next few days."

With the lowly Pirates in town, Cabrera may take the entire series off. That would give him five straight days off, having missed the final two games in Colorado.

Cabrera still feels some soreness in his side.

"Guys I've talked to that have had it, they say you really need a month or a month-and-a-half off," Cabrera said. "Maybe take five days in a row now, so I can be as ready as I can for the playoffs."

THEY'RE BACK: Outfielder Jim Edmonds (right oblique) and right-hander Mike Leake (right shoulder fatigue) both were activated from the disabled list Friday.

Edmonds gives the Reds the extra outfielder they sought, with Laynce Nix (sprained ankle)text ignoreddisabled and Bruce out since Aug. 30.

Still, Edmonds may not be ready to help immediately. Edmonds toldtext ignoredreporterstext ignoredthat he was a bit surprised to be activated, having not resumed full baseball activities.

"I was surprised myself," Baker said. "(GM) Walt (Jocketty) informed me. I've got to see what he's capab