MIAMI — Reds general manager Jim Bowden described Jose Rijo's latest minor-league tuneup as “definitely a setback for him” and said Friday that the comeback-minded right-hander was “not likely” to pitch for Cincinnati on July 29, as the former ace had hoped.

PHOTO GALLERY

14 photos from Rijo's July 17 start

        Bowden said Rijo's next outing will be next Wednesday for Triple-A Louisville at Richmond.

        Thursday, Rijo allowed only one unearned run and one hit in three innings in Louisville's 7-2 victory over Durham. Said Bowden, “He threw a good forkball but his (pitching) line was not consistent with his performance. Bowden explained that Rijo's fastball reached only 81-84 mph — around 90 is the major-league average — while his slider had “no bite.”

        Both Bowden and Reds manager Bob Boone, who also watched the game, suggested Rijo might be in a “dead-arm” stage, which typically strikes pitchers in spring training as they try to regain midseason form. Rijo has pitched four times in the minors this year.

        “He's not better than the 11 (pitchers) I have,” Boone said. “In an innocuous situation, I think he could get big-league hitters out. But I'd be scared to put him in a jam with something on the line.”

Friday story: DAUGHERTY: Don't turn Rijo into a sideshow

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