Jose Rijo pitches for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts Monday night. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Jose Rijo has put his comeback on fast-forward, putting him at odds with the front office that's giving him a last chance to pitch.

        Insisting there's no purpose to spending time in the minors, Rijo said Friday that he wants to start for the Reds on their current homestand.

        Rijo, 36, will start for Triple-A Louisville on today - his first test against hitters at the top level of the minors. If he does well, he hopes to start for the Reds next Thursday at Cinergy Field against the Atlanta Braves.

        “The way they see it and the way I see it is different,” he said, standing behind the batting cage before a game against the Cleveland Indians. “But the way I feel is unbelievable.”

        General manager Jim Bowden feels that Rijo needs at least two and maybe three starts at Triple-A to build up his endurance and prove he's ready to go against major leaguers.

        “We'd like him to pitch four innings (Saturday), then see if he can go five for Louisville after that,” Bowden said. “We'll judge that and see how he does. Bringing him up sooner than that is jumping the gun.”

        Rijo disagreed with Bowden's assessment.

        “I'm trying to be here,” he said. “I don't want to waste too many outings in the minor leagues. If I'm throwing good and I'm feeling good, it makes no sense for me.

        “But I'll do anything they want. I appreciate them giving me a chance.”

        Rijo, the MVP of the Reds' 1990 World Series sweep of Oakland, hasn't pitched in the majors since 1995, when he had the first of four major operations on his right elbow.

        He has tried comebacks over the years, but had to give up because the elbow acted up. After he had elbow pain during spring training in 1998, he gave up on the comeback and devoted full time to building and operating a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.

        He stayed in shape and started throwing at the academy, fueling his desire to try one last comeback. The Reds agreed, but insisted he had to prove himself in the minors.

        Rijo gave up one earned run in three innings for Single-A Dayton, then allowed only one hit in three shutout innings for Double-A Chattanooga on Monday. His start for Louisville will be his first at the Triple-A level.

        Rijo's fastball has generally been in the upper-80s, topping out at 90 mph in his last start. He said Friday that he's willing to pitch in the Reds' bullpen if it will help him get back to the majors.

        If all goes well today, Rijo will urge the Reds to call him up.

        “If you look at the way I'm throwing, you put it all together, what is there for me to prove?” he said.

Recent Rijo stories:
• Rijo, Dunn callups not imminent
• Rijo gets AAA start Saturday
• Rijo pitches 3 scoreless innings at AA
• Double-A next for Rijo
• Rijo starts with good outing at Dayton
• Fans support Rijo
• SULLIVAN: Rijo can't give up

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