By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

Ken Griffey Jr., no stranger to dealing with the after-effects of injuries, rates coming back from hamstring surgery the biggest pain - and not in the hamstring.

Griffey gets around with the help of a four-wheeled cart called a Roll-A-Bout, which keeps his leg bent.

He can't sit. He can't drive. And he can't walk.

"I spend 22 1/2 hours a day on the couch," he said. "I'm a hostage in my own house. With my shoulder, at least I could do things."

The only breaks are rehab sessions. Griffey's friend, Frank King, or assistant trainer Tim Elser drives him from his condo to Great American Ball Park.

What's worse is that his wife, Melissa, has returned to Orlando, where children Trey and Taryn have started school.

"It's just me," Junior said. "Nobody to talk to."

Griffey will be on the Roll-A-Bout for three more weeks. He'll then begin walking a few steps at a time.

Griffey started rehab three days after his Aug. 16 surgery. He should be ready for spring training.

Griffey got an early test of how strong the repaired hamstring was from his youngest son, Tevin.

"He ran right up to me and jumped on my leg," Griffey said.

When Griffey winced in pain, Tevin looked at the wrap on his leg and said: "Daddy got a boo-boo."

WILY MO BACK: Wily Mo Pena returned to the starting lineup Thursday after missing seven games with a bruised chest when he slammed into the wall Aug. 31 making a catch against the Astros.

"I'm ready," he said. "I want to play so bad."

He hit a home run in his first at-bat against the Brewers Thursday to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

CASEY NOMINATED: Sean Casey is the Reds' nominee for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, which recognizes a player for on-field performance and offseason contributions. Fans can vote at www.bigleaguers.com.

Casey is involved in numerous charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lighthouse Youth Services and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

COACH CALL-UP: Louisville pitching coach Mack Jenkins is working for the Reds this series. Louisville hitting coach Smokey Garrett, Dayton manager Alonzo Powell and Chattanooga manager Jayhawk Owens also will be used as an extra coach for a home series each.

FARM REPORT: The Reds went 1-3 in minor-league playoff games Wednesday:

• Double-A Chattanooga lost to Tennessee 10-3 in Game 1 of the Southern League playoffs. Left-hander reliever Casey DeHart gave up five runs in the eighth.

• Single-A Potomac lost 3-1 at Wilmington.

• Rookie ball Billings beat Great Falls 9-4 to win the Pioneer League semifinals. The Mustangs will face the Provo-Idaho Falls series winner for the championship.