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Jul 17, 2010 - 3:51 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Colorado (49-39) at Cincinnati (49-41), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Ending a nine-game slide to the Colorado Rockies has the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds feeling good. Getting Edinson Volquez back earlier than expected from elbow surgery should further raise their spirits.

Volquez is scheduled to take the mound for the first time in more than a year when the Reds host the Rockies in the middle game of this series Saturday night.

Cincinnati (50-41) returned from the All-Star break Friday, beating Colorado 3-2 to snap a four-game overall losing streak and a nine-game slide to the Rockies (49-40).

"It kind of gets you off on the right foot for the second half," starter Bronson Arroyo said after earning his 10th win.

The Reds lead the Central by one-half game over St. Louis, and Volquez's return could help them create some breathing room.

The right-hander will make his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. He hasn't appeared for the Reds since getting hurt in a win at St. Louis on June 1, 2009, ending his season with a 4-2 record and 4.35 ERA in nine starts. The previous year, he led Cincinnati with a career-high 17 wins and made the All-Star team.

"Probably going to be like the first time ever," said Volquez, who went 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA in six minor-league rehab starts. "I feel like I haven't pitched in two years. I don't know how I'm going to feel."

Volquez, who hadn't been expected to return until August, was also suspended 50 games earlier this season after testing positive for a banned fertility substance.

His presence will be welcome in a Cincinnati rotation missing Aaron Harang (sore back) and Homer Bailey (inflamed pitching shoulder). However, manager Dusty Baker is tempering expectations for Volquez.

"This is the beginning of the season for him," Baker said. "You've got to be a little more tolerant. It's not like this guy's unproven. It's like a lot of guys who have had Tommy John (surgery) and come back. He'll probably be better next year than he will be this year."

Volquez is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two starts against Colorado.

The Rockies, who opened a season-high 11-game road trip Friday, have dropped consecutive games following a six-game winning streak that put them in the thick of the NL West race.

Jorge De La Rosa (3-1, 4.94) will make his second start since returning from a torn tendon in his left middle finger.

The left-hander, who led Colorado with a career-high 16 wins last year, was tagged for seven runs - five earned - with six strikeouts in 4 1-3 innings of a 10-8 win over San Diego on July 9, hours after being activated from the disabled list.

De La Rosa is 1-2 with an 8.36 ERA in eight career games - two starts - against the Reds.

Colorado's Brad Hawpe is expected to move from right field and make his first career start at first base in place of Todd Helton, who is out indefinitely with back stiffness. Hawpe played the position sparingly in spring training.

"Hopefully, when Todd is healthy, he's back in our lineup, because he's big in our lineup," Hawpe told the Rockies' official website. "I don't read anything going into something. I'm not going to predict what's going to happen. I've found out for me it doesn't work, and it drives me crazy."

Hawpe is 1 for 6 off Volquez, but the hit was a homer.