CINCINNATI, May 6 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds Tuesday activated oft-injured captain Barry Larkin, who has missed nearly a month with a strained left calf.
The 39-year-old shortstop suffered the injury while legging out a triple in an April 10 game at Houston.
The 11-time All-Star was batting .222 with one RBI in nine games before the injury. He played 145 games last year, but missed a total of 177 games the previous two seasons because of groin, finger, and knee injuries as well as hernia surgery.
Larkin is in his 18th year with the Reds, the leader among active players for most seasons with one team.
The Reds were 11-12 in Larkin's absence, and are 14-18 overall this season.
Cincinnati optioned infielder Ryan Freel to Triple-A Louisville of the International League to make room on the roster for Larkin.
Freel appeared in 10 games with the Reds, including six starts at second base, after he was promoted on April 19. He hit .150 with an RBI on a squeeze play and three stolen bases.
