CINCINNATI - A knee injury that John Vander Wal suffered while shoveling snow at his home has put his 2004 season with the Cincinnati Reds at risk.

The Reds signed the free agent to a $700,000 contract on Jan. 12 as a pinch-hitter and backup outfielder and first baseman.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday at Beacon Orthopedics Surgery Center in the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville. Vander Wal slipped on ice while shoveling his driveway last weekend in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said it remains to be determined whether Vander Wal will be ready for spring training. Position players, including Vander Wal, are to report Feb. 23 to the Reds' training camp in Sarasota, Fla.

O'Brien and team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek, citing federal medical privacy regulations, declined to give details of Vander Wal's injury.

''We'll know more about timetables and playing and how he's doing and will be able to give more information in the next few days,'' Kremchek said.

Vander Wal, 37, a 13-year veteran, batted .257 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs during 117 games with the Milwaukee Brewers last season. He is fifth on the all-time pinch-hit list with 124 hits and third all-time with 17 pinch-hit home runs.