Griff dawg starting in right field

Griffey will play right field

BY JOHN FAY | JFAY@ENQUIRER.COM

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LAKELAND, Fla. – If Ken Griffey Jr. can play in a game by week’s end, he'll play in right field, Reds manager Jerry Narron said.

The Reds came into spring training considering Griffey one of the options in center field, but because he hasn’t played yet that option is no longer there.

“We would have liked to give Junior a chance to play center field,” Narron said. “But he’s been hurt, we’re getting to the point where we need to get our lineup out there. We’ve got to get the club ready. That’s the whole thing.”

Narron thinks the Reds’ best lineup defensively is with Ryan Freel in center field.

“It’s a decision I made,” he said. “I didn’t take it lightly. I’ve talked to people around baseball.”

As to when Griffey plays, it’s unclear.

“He’s been taking batting practice,” Narron said. “He’s still sore. Hopefully, we get him out there some time this week.”

Griffey has not played in any of the Reds 17 spring training games. He’s still dealing with the aftereffects of the broken left hand he suffered in the December.

Narron was asked if there’s a date certain by which Griffey has to play in order to avoid starting the year on the disabled list.

“Probably,” Narron said. “But we’ll see where he is the next few days. The one thing he has had going for him is he’s been able to see live pitching in simulated games.”

Narron said he talked to Griffey about the possibility of moving to right field early in spring training.


The call as to when he’ll play has been Griffey’s since the beginning of camp, and now he knows when he plays it will be in right field.

“Whenever he says he’s ready to go, we’re going to do whatever we can to get him in the lineup,” Narron said.

After today’s off day, the Reds are down to 11 days of games before Opening Day.