The Reds offense figures to be close to getting a boost as Ryan Ludwick's recovery from shoulder surgery has progressed to the point he is set to begin a rehab assignment.
Ludwick, a right-handed power hitter manager Dusty Baker planned to plug in between left-handed hitters Joey Votto and Jay Bruce at the No. 4 spot in the Reds' lineup, has been out since suffering a separated shoulder while sliding into third base on Opening Day.
He will suit up for Single-A Dayton when the Dragons play at Lansing on Wednesday night.
Reds manager Dusty Baker told reporters prior to the Reds' game Sunday against Pittsburgh that Ludwick has put in the effort necessary to get back on the field.
"He's worked hard, really hard," Baker said. "I'm proud of how he's worked. The average person would have gotten frustrated by now. I talked to him. He said, 'Man, there's a lot of RBIs out there.'"
Ludwick hit .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs last year while playing 125 games for the Reds.
Second baseman Brandon Phillips has picked up where Ludwick left off in the cleanup spot with a National League-leading 78 RBIs entering play Sunday, but the ripple effect of moving him has left a hole at the No. 2 spot in the lineup.
