By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Saturday's game and Ken Griffey Jr.'s injury

Once they escorted him off the field and into the Reds trainer's room, the doctors went to work.

It took 10 minutes of tugging, twisting and a lot of pain before Ken Griffey Jr.'s right shoulder finally popped back into place Saturday afternoon.

Team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek said Sunday that the Reds' center fielder, who was hurt diving for a ball in the eighth inning against the Cubs on Saturday at Great American Ball Park, will be out six to 10 weeks for rehabilitation rather than undergoing surgery.

"If he had surgery now he'd miss the season," Kremchek said. "If we rehab him and he is unable to get back this year, he still has surgery and misses the season.

"Looking at all the tests and examinations we've done on him, there's an excellent chance he'll be able to return this year and play centerfield."

X-rays and an MRI taken Saturday showed no broken bones and no damage to Griffey's rotator cuff.

His arm will remain in a sling for a few weeks, but the 33-year-old will begin a physical therapy program focusing on range of motion and muscle strength today.

"He's discouraged, but I think the fact that we can rehabilitate this and get him back to play this year has given him some hope," Kremchek said.

Beset by injuries to his right knee and both hamstrings since the Reds traded for him in 2000, Griffey came into spring training looking better than ever after working out with a personal trainer during the offseason.

Limited to 70 games and eight homers last season, Griffey hit six homers during spring training and one at Great American Saturday.

"I know it's disappointing for him and it's disappointing for us, too," first baseman Sean Casey said. "We know how much he was looking forward to (the season) and how much it was going to mean to him."

With the Cubs leading 6-5 in the eighth inning, Griffey stretched out to catch Paul Bako's bases-loaded, two-out triple to left center field.

He landed awkwardly on his right shoulder and, after a few moments on the outfield grass, got up and was led to the Reds' training room.

"He plays hard," Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. "He didn't fall off a motor scooter or something. He was out there going after a major league fly ball."

Among the players who will fill in during Griffey's absence is Reggie Taylor. The Reds' fourth outfielder knows firsthand how painful a dislocated shoulder can be.

Taylor dislocated his left shoulder while playing winter ball in Venezuela in 1999, but opted to undergo surgery to prevent any potential problems in the future.

"The doctors told me that if I didn't have surgery, it could keep popping out and popping back in," Taylor said. "That's something I didn't want to deal with."

Taylor, Ruben Mateo and shortstop Barry Larkin are all expected to help out in center field.

Manager Bob Boone said the Reds are considering several options.

Infielder Juan Castro, who hit .220 in 54 games for the Reds last season, is eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday. Outfielders Jose Guillen, Emil Brown and Jacob Cruz are at Triple-A Louisville.

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E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com