Rijo Tops Busy Day for Reds

Jose Rijo has hit another snag in his latest comeback.

Rijo, the most valuable player in the Cincinnati Reds’ 1990 World Series sweep of Oakland, has been told by doctors to stop throwing for two weeks because his elbow doesn’t feel right.

Rijo, 32, is trying to come back from four major elbow operations in the last three years. He has not pitched in a major-league game since 1995.

Rijo said if it were up to him, he’d take off three or four months to let the elbow heal completely before he tries throwing hard again.

He sounded discouraged by the latest setback, which is another indication he may never pitch again.

“I’m back to zero again,” he said. “That’s the story of my life right there--back to zero.”

The Reds got good news Friday when they learned that first baseman Sean Casey’s vision improved significantly, a day after he as hit in the right eye by a thrown ball.

“His vision is improving. He can actually see,” said Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the Reds’ medical director.

“That’s a very encouraging sign. He feels great today. There’s no question we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Casey broke the bone below his right eye, suffered two cuts that required a total of 20 stitches and had blood in the front of the eyeball after he was hit Thursday evening during batting practice.

Doctors will have a better idea in four or five days whether the vision in the injured eye returns perfectly. For now, they’re encouraged.

Also, Red closer Jeff Shaw agreed to a three-year contract extension that will pay him $2.8 million a year.

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The Philadelphia Phillies put pitcher Mark Portugal on the 15-day disabled list because of inflammation in his right knee.

To fill Portugal’s roster spot, the Phillies recalled reliever Wayne Gomes from triple-A Scranton.