SARASOTA, Fla. - Pencil Barry Larkin into the lineup April 7 in San Diego. It might be even sooner if Larkin were eligible, but because he's on the disabled list that's as soon as he can come back.
''I think I'll be ready by then,'' he said.
Larkin had surgery March 13 to repair a protruding disc in his neck. Four weeks from March 13 is April 10. If Larkin can return by April 7, he would miss only six games.
''That's not too bad at all,'' he said.
Larkin returned to Sarasota Saturday. By Monday, he was taking ground balls. He took some light batting practice Tuesday.
''Everything is going good,'' he said. ''We'll see how it feels.''
Tarasco claimed
The Reds claimed Tony Tarasco off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Tarasco, a 26-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder, will start the year at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Tarasco played 100 games for the Orioles last year, hitting .205 with seven home runs and 26 RBI. He was rarely used late in the season, going 3-for-37 from July 20 until the end of the season. He can play all three outfield positions.
Tarasco's best season in the majors came in 1995 when he hit .249 with 14 homers and 40 RBI for the Montreal Expos.
''He gives us more depth in the outfield,'' General Manager Jim Bowden said. ''We lost Eric Owens because he was out of options. Tony has an option left. He's a good left-handed bat. We thought Midre Cummings would give depth there, but he was claimed by the Red Sox.''
Reds manager Jack McKeon last saw Tarasco play last year. His scouting report: ''Not a bad left-handed bat, good talent, good power, he can run and has a good arm.''
Hutton hurt
Mark Hutton suffered a mild strain of his right groin in the Reds' 9-4 loss to Texas Rangers.
Hutton, the right-handed pitcher acquired from Colorado in a trade for Curtis Goodwin, is destined to pitch long relief for the Reds. Hutton is 0-2 this spring with a 2.76 ERA.
''He tweaked it,'' McKeon said. ''Whatever that means.''
Willie's well
Willie Greene had three hits Monday, the day after he was not in the Reds' lineup for their game against Toronto.
But Greene points out that it was not a day off.
''I worked hard,'' Greene said.
Greene stayed back in Sarasota Sunday and hit in a simulated game against David Weathers, Brett Tomko and Hutton.
''The simulated game really helped,'' Greene said.
Hitting instructor Ken Griffey worked with Greene, but gave his pupil the credit.
''Willie got Willie out of it,'' Griffey said. ''We worked on him picking up the ball as quick as possible - right out of the pitcher's hand.''
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