Jose Rijo's appearance Thursday at Cinergy Field was sudden. His latest and last comeback also will be that way if he struggles.

Jose Rijo returns to the mound. (Ernest Coleman photos) | ZOOM |

        Rijo, 36, who hasn't pitched in a regular-season game since 1995, threw a three-inning simulated game at Cinergy Field and is expected to sign a minor-league contract today. Then he probably will pitch Wednesday at Single-A Dayton against West Michigan.

        If Rijo survives that outing, he'll either pitch another game for Dayton or advance to Triple-A Louisville. And then ...

        “I want to be able to someday stand on the field and say goodbye to the people the way I should,” said Rijo, the Most Valuable Player of the 1990 World Series. “Not leave, like I did, through the back door, grabbing my arm. I want to have my arm in the air, not down like it was.”

        Rijo, who has been pitching to 15- to 18-year-olds at his baseball academy in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, said he'll know quickly whether he should keep trying.

Rijo talks with manager Bob boone and GM Jim Bowden. | ZOOM |

        “In one month, if it doesn't go well, I guess I have to leave the field without saying goodbye,” Rijo said. “I have too much going on in the Dominican right now. The only reason to give it up is to pitch in the major leagues.”

        Rijo, who compiled a 111-87 record, stressed he isn't doing this for the paycheck. His reward comes from competing at baseball's highest level.

        “If you had to pay money to come back and do it, I would. That's how badly I want to pitch,” he said. “... It's not a money situation.

        “Besides,” Rijo added, drawing laughter, “(the Reds) don't have a lot of money, anyway.”

        Etched in Rijo's mind is the evening of July 18, 1995, when he stood helplessly on the mound in San Diego, his right elbow shredded, after yielding a single to Joey Hamilton. Rijo went to the clubhouse with trainer Greg Lynn and has dreamed of making a U-turn since, through five elbow surgeries and two aborted comebacks.

        “I guess my heart and my attitude are stronger than anything else,” Rijo said.

        Reds reserves Brady Clark and Kelly Stinnett and interim hitting coach Mike Greenwell batted against Rijo in the simulated game.

        Rijo struck out the first four hitters while pitching two perfect innings. He then yielded four hits and the equivalent of three runs in his final inning.

        Rijo's fastball ranged from 86-88 mph, with a high of 89, as he threw about 50 pitches.

        “It looked like his forkball was working well,” Greenwell said. “I don't know how hard he was throwing, but he made some good pitches. He had command, and I think that's probably the No.1 thing.”

        “To me, right now everything looks like 100 (mph) because I haven't played much,” Stinnett said. “But I guess the key is throwing strikes, and he was throwing three different breaking balls (split-finger, slider and forkball) for strikes, which is key.”

        Rijo insisted he can improve his deliveries by refining his mechanics and losing five to 10 pounds.

        “I don't know how much, but I can get better,” Rijo said.

        Reds manager Bob Boone, who even caught Rijo briefly for a closer inspection, was complimentary but not gushing.

        “He looked all right,” Boone said. “Better than I thought it would be. His command was pretty good. ... He'll really have to pitch (rely on subtlety and control) to be effective.”

        Boone's bottom line: “It's probably worth a try.”

        Or, as Rijo said: “I want to be like Sinatra. I want to do it my way.”

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