Jose

Rijo

Rijo, 38, who is on a minor-league contract and has been pitching in extended spring training, was supposed to have been assigned to one of the Reds’ affiliates by now. It’s starting to look like a longshot that he’ll make it back to the majors.

If Rijo is ready in the next two or three weeks, he probably will be assigned to Triple-A Louisville.

''We’ll just wait and see,’' said Rijo, who experienced pain after throwing on flat ground at the Reds spring training complex in Sarasota. ''I’ve been preparing for (retirement) for six or seven years. It’s not really bad news for me anymore.’' Rijo has been told by Dr. James Andrews that another surgery is not an option. ''(Andrews) said I can’t handle any more (surgeries),’' Rijo said. ''I say physically or mentally either.’'

GM Jim Bowden called it ''the right choice.’'

Rijo had a bone spur removed from his right elbow March 11.

Rijo said the problem was discovered in an X-ray two weeks ago, but he decided to try and pitch through it. However, after reporting pain while working in a minor league game this morning, he flew to Alabama to be operated on tonight by Dr. James Andrews. Rijo will probably miss four weeks, meaning that he’ll open the year on the DL.

Rijo, 38, didn’t pitch in the majors last season because of more elbow troubles. “Since my arrival in Cincinnati, there’s been no mention of that on any front,” GM Dan O’Brien said in a recent interview. “He’s given no indication at this point that he has any plans for another comeback.”

''I’m going to wait until Monday,’' Rijo said. ''I don’t have a good history with rushing it.’' Rijo is likely to open the season in extended spring training.

Rijo made 60 throws on Monday and felt no pain. The right-hander hopes to be pitching for the Reds in mid-April.