CHICAGO — Jose Rijo was entertaining three female writers from Chicago in the Reds clubhouse. He was his usual charming self with his usual clever lines.

Jose Rijo looks out to the scoreboard after giving up a fifth inning home run to Lance Berkman on Tuesday. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        “I'm the only guy who gets women to come into the clubhouse,” he said.

        Rijo was talking about making a start today, his first since 1995, which the Reds finally announced Saturday.

        “People don't know it, but I'm a walking miracle,” he said. “What happened to me is not natural. I'm the one in a million who got better.”

        While it is utterly amazing Rijo can come back to pitch in the major leagues — and pitch well — after six years of retirement and five right elbow surgeries, it would be even more miraculous if Rijo, 36, could win a permanent spot in the rotation.

        Rijo, as confident a man as you'll find, says he isn't looking beyond today.

        “It's one start,” he said. “That's it. If they tell me I'm staying (in the rotation afterward), I'll celebrate.”

        Reds manager Bob Boone was reluctant to name Rijo as today's starter after Jose Acevedo was optioned to Triple-A, and he still was qualifying it Saturday.

        “It's a bullpen day,” Boone said. “Rijo happens to be going first.”

        Rijo will be on a flexible pitch count.

        “We don't have an exact number,” Boone said. “He'll be in there as long as he's effective.”

        Rijo is hoping for five or six good innings. That probably would get him another start.

        But Boone won't commit to a starter for the next time the fifth spot comes up.

        “You'll be able to figure it out,” Boone said. “This is an opportunity for (Rijo).”

        Rijo has appeared in four games this year and has allowed two earned runs and eight hits over eight innings. His ERA since his comeback last season is 2.16, better than his pre-injury ERA of 2.70. But he's not the pitcher who went 92-57 in his first eight years with the Reds.

        “I don't want to get high hopes,” Rijo said.

        His approach sparked a lively, loud debate in Spanish in the Reds' clubhouse before Saturday's game.

        Wilton Guerrero took exception to Rijo's declaration: If God lets me pitch six good innings today, I don't care if I ever pitch again.

        “Wilton says that's negative,” Rijo said.

        Rijo's attitude throughout the comeback has been that every chance to pitch is a gift. Today's start is just the sweetest one yet.

        “To be able to do what I did six years ago is unbelievable,” he said. “I know I'm not who I was. I'm not the same pitcher. But I'm back. That took a great healing and a strong mind.”

        The forecast today calls for rain. “I don't care,” Rijo said. “Nothing can ruin my day.”

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