Ken Griffey Jr. grabs Austin Kearns by the ears after the rookie hit his first grand slam Tuesday night. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        For the first time since Ken Griffey Jr.'s knee injury April 7, the Reds have targeted a specific date for his return.

        “I'm very encouraged and optimistic that he'll be able to be activated some time this weekend in Atlanta,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said before Tuesday night's game. “The way he's moving in the outfield, the way he's swinging the bat, the way he's throwing.”

        Before the game against Florida, Griffey fielded balls in center field for 20 minutes, the first time since his injury that he has worked in the field.

        Then he took batting practice on the field for more than half an hour, spraying balls to all fields, many going over the wall.

        “We'll see how I feel tomorrow and take it from there,” Griffey said.

        Asked if he felt good enough to play right now, he said: “I can't answer that until I get out there and play.”

        The Reds will play at Atlanta Friday through Sunday.

        Griffey suffered a partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee during a rundown against Montreal in the season's sixth game. He had one home run and three RBI when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He was expected to return in three to six weeks from the date of the injury. This past Sunday was six weeks.

        “I think all of us hoped it was going to be three to six weeks — closer to three — but we were all wrong,” Bowden said. “OK, so it's six to eight weeks. The most important thing is getting him back healthy. He has worked extremely hard to get back. He really wants to get back for the team, the fans and his teammates.”

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