Around The Majors -- Rijo Faces `Tommy John' Surgery

CINCINNATI - Pitcher Jose Rijo of the Cincinnati Reds will undergo surgery on his aching right elbow this week, and it will sideline him for the rest of this season, and most likely part of 1996.

Rijo, who has been hampered all season by pain from a bone formation in his elbow ligament, will be examined Tuesday by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., the fifth time he's seen Andrews this season.

"I've already called (Andrews) to set it up," said Rijo. "I want to get it done."

While General Manager Jim Bowden said Andrews won't make a final determination until he re-examines Rijo Tuesday, he agreed surgery appeared imminent.

"We've put it off as long as we can put it off," Bowden said.

Andrews has said surgery would involve cutting the ligament to get the bone formation out. He then may need to replace it by grafting a tendon from another part of the body, probably the wrist.

"He doesn't know for sure yet, but that's what he thinks," Rijo said. "He won't know for sure until he goes in."

The rehabilitation period for reconstructive ligament surgery is usually nine to 12 months.

"Everybody's a little different," said Dr. James Dennison, Andrews' colleague. "Sometimes there can be other problems: loose bodies in the elbow, a little arthritis."

Williams rejoins Giants

PHILADELPHIA - Third baseman Matt Williams, sidelined 2 1/2 months because of a broken foot, was activated by San Francisco and grounded out as a pinch hitter against Philadelphia.

Note

-- Philadelphia signed left-handed reliever Steve Frey, who was released by Seattle on Aug. 8, to a Class AAA contract with Stranton-Wilkes-Barre.

-- Brian Bohanon will start today for Detroit instead of Felipe Lira, who will be tried in short relief the rest of the season.

-- Jason Bere, Chicago White Sox pitcher who has been out with tendinitis in his bicep, will be activated from the disabled list in time to start today agaist Detroit.

-- Injured Gary Sheffield could be ready to rejoin the Florida Marlins in three weeks. Sheffield tore a ligament in his left thumb June 10, and was not expected back this season, but he has regained the full range of motion in the thumb. "I think I'm a lot farther along than anybody expected," Sheffield said.

-- Florida left-hander Buddy Groom Friday night became the first pitcher to lose both games of a doubleheader since Baltimore's Don Aase lost twice to Oakland in 1986.

-- With Montreal outfielder Moises Alou sidelined indefinitely with a small tear in his right shoulder labrum, General Manager Kevin Malone is in the market for another outfielder.