Fans display a banner in support of injured Reds centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr., on Tuesday during a game with the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) | ZOOM |

        Look for Ken Griffey Jr. to join the Reds in St. Louis for the series next weekend.

        Once Griffey joins the club, he'll be in center field on a daily basis. He could play now, but the Reds want him close to 100 percent before they activate him.

        Griffey has been on the disabled list since April 8 with a torn patella tendon in his right knee.

        “We're holding him back,” team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek said, “but for good reason. We don't want him where he plays a day, then needs a day off.”

        Griffey tested his injured right knee Thursday.

        “He looked great,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden. “We're very encouraged with his progress.”

        There was no soreness in the knee Friday, which is an important sign.

        “It's not anything like it was two weeks ago,” Griffey said.

        The Reds had planned to take Griffey on the trip to Milwaukee, which begins Monday. Instead, he'll stay behind with physical therapist Lonnie Soloff and intensify his workouts.

        “There are certain things he has to be able to do,” Kremchek said. “He has to be able to do what he did when he got hurt without pain. He has to go hard into third base and stop and get back.”

        The key test is quadriceps strength.

        “When that gets normal, or close to normal,” Griffey said. “I go out and play.”

        The Reds have said all along that they would err on the side of caution with Griffey.

        “He could play,” Kremchek said. “He can hit. He can jog without pain. But before we put in there, we want to be able to play center field and be confident that he can bounce back.”

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