LOUISVILLE - Jose Rijo is closer to getting his wish. The Reds are talking about Rijo starting against the Florida Marlins July 29 at Cinergy Field. But General Manager Jim Bowden said Rijo might pitch just three innings, and long-term plans call for Rijo to pitch in middle relief, not as a starter.

        The former Reds pitching ace, attempting a comeback after six years, had a fourth successful minor-league start Thursday night. He gave up one hit and an unearned run in three innings for the Louisville RiverBats in a 7-2 victory over Durham.

        "Three good innings," Rijo said afterward. "I'm very happy."

PHOTO GALLERY

14 photos from Rijo's previous start

        The 1990 World Series MVP agreed before the game to limit his work to 55 pitches or three innings, whichever came first. He wound up throwing 40 pitches, 26 for strikes. In his previous outing, at Charlotte, he tossed 76 pitches in four innings.

"        I thought I would give myself a little break this time, so I can go longer next time," he said.

        Rijo is scheduled to start again for the Bats on Tuesday night at Richmond.

        Reds General Manager Jim Bowden, manager Bob Boone and pitching coach Don Gullett watched Rijo from seats behind home plate. Boone praised Rijo's command and change of speed but said he wouldn't feel comfortable putting the veteran in his starting rotation right now.

        "He's got to be better than my 11 (pitchers)," Boone said. "That's what he's got to show me."

       The lack of velocity generated by Rijo's surgically repaired right arm -- he hasn't pitched in the majors since blowing out his elbow in July 1995 -- still concerns the Reds. He never registered higher than 84 mph on the stadium's radar gun, and he relied almost exclusively on his forkball and slider.

        "My fastball is still not where I want it," Rijo said. "I still have to reach back a little bit for it. I've got to get confidence in my fastball like I have in my breaking balls."

        "Obviously his forkball is very good, as he showed," Bowden said. "But he's got to have other pitches to be effective. We're looking for him to establish the fastball and begin to locate it with late life."

        The (Louisville) Courier-Journal contributed to this report.

DAUGHERTY: Don't turn Rijo into a sideshow

Recent Rijo coverage:
• 14 photos from Rijo's Saturday start
• For Rijo, “It's already a miracle'
• Rijo allows 2 runs in Triple-A start
• Rijo pitches 3 scoreless innings at AA
• Rijo starts with good outing at Dayton
• Fans support Rijo
• SULLIVAN: Rijo can't give up

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