Wily Mo Pena, a 20-year-old outfielder whose contract guarantees him a spot on the Reds' roster next season, might not be healthy enough to begin the season with the team.

        Pena tore his left hamstring in an Arizona Fall League game. He was examined Wednesday by Dr. Tim Kremchek, who determined the injury requires surgery.

        “I'll know more when I get in there,” Kremchek said. “But these types of injuries take four to six months to heal. So there's a chance he won't be ready for the start of the season.”

        The season starts in 5 1/2 months.

        Kremchek will perform the surgery Friday at Good Samaritan Hospital.

        Pena will stay in Cincinnati for rehabilitation for a week or two, then will continue to recover in Tampa, Fla., where he lives in the offseason.

        The injury comes at a bad time for Pena. The Reds had hoped to speed his development by having him play in the Instructional League and the Arizona Fall League.

        Pena hit .255 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 105 games with Double-A Chattanooga this season.

        He played in 13 games for the Reds after a September call-up.

        Pena is not ready for the big leagues. But he is out of options because the New York Yankees signed him to a $3.7-million major-league contract as a 17-year-old.

        The Reds got Pena from the Yankees in trade for Drew Henson and Michael Coleman.

        Kremchek doesn't expect the injury to affect Pena long-term.

        “He'll come back 100 percent,” Kremchek said. “This is something he'll get over.”

        Another top prospect, shortstop Ranier Olmedo, had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow on Tuesday. He should be ready to play by the start of spring training.

        Olmedo hit .247 with three homers and 30 RBI at Chattanooga this season.

        Right-hander Ryan Dempster also was examined by Kremchek, and X-rays and an MRI revealed bones spurs on his right ankle. The problem will not require surgery and he is expected to be ready to play by spring training.

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