Juan Francisco (calf) is expected to run and take grounders Tuesday.

If all goes well, he could begin a minor league rehab assignment in the next few days. He could eventually be an option at third base if Scott Rolen has more problems with his shoulder.

Juan Francisco (calf) was able to run and hit off a tee Friday.

It's not clear when he'll be sent out on a rehab assignment, but it will have to be soon, as the Reds have said they expect him back around the first day he's eligible (May 2). With Scott Rolen (shoulder) out, Francisco will be in line for some starts at third base.

Juan Francisco (calf) is expected to be activated from the disabled list sometime around May 2, when he's first eligible.

"The last report I got he was making good progress," Reds GM Walt Jocketty said. "We'll probably send him on a rehab to get some at-bats. But he'll be ready around the (eligibility) date." When he returns, Francisco will help fill in at third base for Scott Rolen (shoulder), though Rolen expects to be back on May 6.

Juan Francisco had to leave Saturday's game following a single in the eighth inning due to a cramp in his left calf.

Shouldn't be a big deal. Francisco, who is hitting .211/.250/.211 in 19 at-bats, should be available for action as early as Sunday.

Juan Francisco has been sidelined from playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic due to a right leg injury.

Francisco hasn't played since December 10, after he fouled a pitch off his right leg under his knee and had to be hospitalized when the injury became inflamed and infected. "He's fine," said Reds general manager Walt Jocketty. "A contusion has kept him out, but it's nothing serious." More encouraging is that Francisco has been practicing and could be activated if his team, the Ciabao Gigantes, reach the Dominican League finals. The 23-year-old is expected to compete for a spot on the Reds' bench during spring training.

Juan Francisco was awarded the final spot on the Reds' NLDS roster.

Francisco gets the nod over Jim Edmonds, who is dealing with a right Achilles tendon injury. What the Reds lose in playoff experience, they pick up in a pretty powerful left-handed bat off the bench.

The final spot on the Reds' postseason roster will be awarded to either Juan Francisco or Jim Edmonds.

Edmonds is scheduled to test his strained Achilles tendon on Tuesday afternoon with a lengthy workout. If all goes well, he will get the spot. If not, it will go to the versatile Francisco. "(Juan) can play more positions," Reds manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday. "If Scottie (Rolen) comes up sore or something, we've got another bona fide third baseman."

Reds recalled 3B Juan Francisco from Triple-A Louisville.

He'll take the place of the injured Mike Leake on the 25-man roster. Francisco, 23, has a legit power bat, but he'll mainly be a pinch-hitter while with the big league club.

Reds optioned 3B Juan Francisco to Triple-A Louisville.

Francisco has fared well in a few stints with the big club, mainly as a pinch-hitter. He'll likely be back up when the rosters expand next month.

Reds recalled INF Juan Francisco from Triple-A Louisville.

He'll take the place of the injured Orlando Cabrera on the 25-man roster. Francisco, 23, was batting .286/.326/.569 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI in 269 at-bats with the Bats this season. He has a legit power bat, but he's unlikely to play all that much, barring injury.

Juan Francisco is expected to join the Reds on Tuesday evening.

The infield prospect was spotted at the team's hotel in Pittsburgh on Tuesday morning and is apparently going to take Orlando Cabrera's spot on the 25-man roster. Francisco, who turned 23 in June, has hit .286/.326/.569 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI in 269 at-bats at Louisville this season.

Two scouts tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com that Juan Francisco -- and not Yonder Alonso -- would be the Reds' best bat to offer for Cliff Lee.

Interesting. The 23-year-old has been limited to just 46 games this season due to an emergency appendectomy, but is batting .283/.313/.533 with eight homers and 28 RBI over 184 at-bats. He's average at best at third base, so he may eventually be headed for first base or the outfield. While Francisco has the potential to hit 30 home runs in the big leagues, Alonso is unquestionably the more polished hitter.

Juan Francisco, stationed at Triple-A Louisville, is expected to miss a "minimum of four weeks" following an emergency appendectomy.

It's too bad, because Francisco was really killing the ball for the Louisville Bats. He had a seven-game hitting streak going and hit .586 with three homers and 16 RBI over that stretch. The 22-year-old should be back in late June and may be in line for a September call-up if he resumes the success.

Reds optioned 3B Juan Francisco to Triple-A Louisville.

Francisco was optioned to make room on the 25-man roster for pitcher Mike Leake, who started on the mound Sunday.