By Bill Koch and John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. injured a tendon in his foot after hitting a double off Astros pitcher Jeriome Robertson in the sixth inning Thursday. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

Ken Griffey Jr., who missed 37 days earlier this season with a dislocated right shoulder, will now miss the rest of the season after rupturing a tendon in his right foot during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Astros.

The Reds center fielder will have surgery today at Good Samaritan Hospital, the Reds said, with team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek and foot and ankle specialist Dr. James Amis operating.

"Obviously, it's devastating. It's a shame. He's heartbroken," Reds general manager Jim Bowden said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I talked to Junior earlier, and I told him that we're all praying for him."

Griffey pulled up lame Thursday at second base after he doubled to lead off the sixth inning.

"He said when he was rounding first, that's when he felt, as he put it, a pop," said trainer Mark Mann.

Griffey had missed the last game in Milwaukee before the All-Star break with a foot injury.

"He said he was having a tough time just walking," first baseman Sean Casey said. "He knew it was going to take just one little step on the bag wrong or one little movement and he was going to be hurting."

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Griffey will also have arthroscopic reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder in about two weeks, the Reds said. He dislocated the shoulder April 5 while diving for a ball and was on the disabled list until May 12.

Injuries to both legs and his right shoulder have caused Griffey to miss 140 games since joining the Reds for the 2000 season.

"He's had a lot of bad luck since he's been here in Cincinnati," Casey said. "It's more frustrating for him than it is for anybody. When the pain's too bad and you can't do it anymore, you've got to come off the field."

Griffey was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The Reds called up outfielder Ruben Mateo from Triple-A Louisville.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.