By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

It's pretty obvious after watching Ken Griffey Jr. take batting practice that he's swinging the bat well enough to return.

"He's swinging it great," hitting coach Chris Chambliss said.

But Griffey's injured right hamstring still isn't ready. He was eligible to come off the disabled list Monday. As expected, he didn't.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Monday's game

Because of the rainy weather, the Reds cancelled the session in which Griffey was going to take fly balls and run the bases while the coaches evaluated him.

"The two big tests for Junior are going to be when he has to break on a tough ball in the outfield," trainer Mark Mann said, "and running the bases at 100 percent when he has to stop and change directions."

Griffey was examined by Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek on Monday. Kremchek cleared Griffey to increase the intensity of his baseball activities.

Griffey has been running at 75 to 80 percent.

The Reds are still not putting a timetable on Griffey's return, nor will Griffey.

That the Reds brought up infielder Felipe Lopez to take outfielder Jason Ramano's roster spot - Romano's out for the year after tearing his hamstring - may indicate that the Reds expect Griffey back sooner than later.

The Reds probably are going to be short-handed as far as infielders because Barry Larkin is out with a strained oblique muscle.

Griffey has been on the disabled list since July 11 with a partially torn right hamstring.

"It's getting better and better with each passing day," Mann said. "Junior will get a little stiffness in the hamstring now."

13 and counting

Monday's game was the 13th that Ken Griffey Jr. has missed since he was placed on the disabled list with an injured hamstring July 11.

It is the sixth time Griffey has been on the disabled list since he joined the Reds before the 2000 season.