ST. LOUIS - The slumping Cincinnati Reds have activated Brandon Phillips from the 15-day disabled list and inserted the second baseman into their starting lineup at St. Louis.
Phillips was placed on the DL on July 11 after he had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He was batting sixth for Monday night's opener of a three-game set against the Cardinals.
Phillips' return comes at a crucial time for Cincinnati, which was swept in a doubleheader Sunday at Colorado and is barely hanging on in the playoff race.
The Reds also activated reliever Logan Ondrusek from the DL and optioned right-hander Dylan Axelrod and catcher Tucker Barnhart to Triple-A Louisville. Right-hander Curtis Partch, who served as the 26th player for Sunday's doubleheader, was returned to Louisville.