Jose Rijo
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just came across the info
just came across the info
Rijo almost ready to return
By Tony Jackson, Cincinnati Post staff reporter, posted 7/4/02
The latest in a long line of comebacks by Reds right-hander Jose Rijo is almost complete.
Rijo threw off a mound Wednesday, the first time he has done that since being placed on the 15-day disabled list June 7 with a sore right shoulder. He probably will be activated a day or two after the All-Star break.
"I am close,'' Rijo said. "The only thing I really need to do is throw my breaking ball and get my control back.''
Rijo threw close to 50 pitches in the bullpen a couple of hours before the Reds played the Houston Astros at Cinergy Field and will do so again before Friday night's game against Milwaukee. He then will leave Sunday night for his home in the Dominican Republic, where he will spend the All-Star break, and plans to throw another side session Monday.
Rijo will rejoin the team when it opens the second half at Houston on Thursday and probably throw a simulated game that day at Minute Maid Park.
Assuming all has gone well to that point, he should be ready to go after that. Exactly where he will go isn't quite clear, but it likely won't be on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Initially, Rijo probably will work out of the bullpen, where he began the season before joining the rotation April 21. Rijo also made all 13 of his appearances in relief last season, when he was coming back from a six-year layoff and five elbow operations.
"That will depend on where we are at that point,'' Reds manager Bob Boone said. "He'll probably need to build up some innings and build up his pitch count the first few times out.''
Rijo threw only fastballs, but plans to use his entire repertoire in his next session. He also worked out a few mechanical issues.
"He hasn't been on the mound for so long,'' Boone said. "He had some accuracy with his fastball and had good life on it. You could tell he was stronger than he was before.''
Rijo, 37, has been eligible to be activated for more than two weeks. But even with a thin pitching staff, Boone and pitching coach Don Gullett resisted the temptation to rush him back, and their patience apparently has paid off.
"I let the ball go, and it explodes,'' Rijo said. "Every pitch feels so strong.
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07/13/2002 1:43 pm ET
Reds activate Rijo
White goes on DL with broken toe
By Jim Molony / MLB.com
Jose Rijo came off the disabled list on Saturday and will be used out of the bullpen. (AP Photo)
HOUSTON -- The Cincinnati Reds placed left-handed reliever Gabe White on the 15-day disabled list prior to Saturday's game and activated right-hander Jose Rijo.
White, 4-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 48 games, broke the little toe on his right foot following Thursday night's game against the Astros when he accidentally kicked the foot of his bed.
Rijo, 4-3 with a 5.21 ERA in 13 games including eight starts, went on the disabled list June 7 because of a sore right shoulder. In two starts prior to going on the disabled list he was 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA. Rijo threw without pain in a simulated session Thursday.
"I feel fine, ready to go," Rijo said.
just came across the info
Rijo almost ready to return
By Tony Jackson, Cincinnati Post staff reporter, posted 7/4/02
The latest in a long line of comebacks by Reds right-hander Jose Rijo is almost complete.
Rijo threw off a mound Wednesday, the first time he has done that since being placed on the 15-day disabled list June 7 with a sore right shoulder. He probably will be activated a day or two after the All-Star break.
"I am close,'' Rijo said. "The only thing I really need to do is throw my breaking ball and get my control back.''
Rijo threw close to 50 pitches in the bullpen a couple of hours before the Reds played the Houston Astros at Cinergy Field and will do so again before Friday night's game against Milwaukee. He then will leave Sunday night for his home in the Dominican Republic, where he will spend the All-Star break, and plans to throw another side session Monday.
Rijo will rejoin the team when it opens the second half at Houston on Thursday and probably throw a simulated game that day at Minute Maid Park.
Assuming all has gone well to that point, he should be ready to go after that. Exactly where he will go isn't quite clear, but it likely won't be on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Initially, Rijo probably will work out of the bullpen, where he began the season before joining the rotation April 21. Rijo also made all 13 of his appearances in relief last season, when he was coming back from a six-year layoff and five elbow operations.
"That will depend on where we are at that point,'' Reds manager Bob Boone said. "He'll probably need to build up some innings and build up his pitch count the first few times out.''
Rijo threw only fastballs, but plans to use his entire repertoire in his next session. He also worked out a few mechanical issues.
"He hasn't been on the mound for so long,'' Boone said. "He had some accuracy with his fastball and had good life on it. You could tell he was stronger than he was before.''
Rijo, 37, has been eligible to be activated for more than two weeks. But even with a thin pitching staff, Boone and pitching coach Don Gullett resisted the temptation to rush him back, and their patience apparently has paid off.
"I let the ball go, and it explodes,'' Rijo said. "Every pitch feels so strong.
...................................................................................................................
07/13/2002 1:43 pm ET
Reds activate Rijo
White goes on DL with broken toe
By Jim Molony / MLB.com
Jose Rijo came off the disabled list on Saturday and will be used out of the bullpen. (AP Photo)
HOUSTON -- The Cincinnati Reds placed left-handed reliever Gabe White on the 15-day disabled list prior to Saturday's game and activated right-hander Jose Rijo.
White, 4-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 48 games, broke the little toe on his right foot following Thursday night's game against the Astros when he accidentally kicked the foot of his bed.
Rijo, 4-3 with a 5.21 ERA in 13 games including eight starts, went on the disabled list June 7 because of a sore right shoulder. In two starts prior to going on the disabled list he was 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA. Rijo threw without pain in a simulated session Thursday.
"I feel fine, ready to go," Rijo said.
