Barry Larkin reported to work sore Wednesday.

        “My knee's fine,” he said. “I'm sore everywhere else, which is what you expect.”

        Larkin was out of the starting lineup for the fifth straight game with a mildly strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Larkin tested the knee Tuesday in batting practice and by taking groundballs.

        “I'm hoping for Friday,” Larkin said.

        Larkin will try to work out today before the Reds fly to Chicago to begin a three-game series with the Cubs.

        TIME IS MONEY: Reds manager Jack McKeon would not reveal what was talked about during the meeting before Tuesday's game, but the players are operating under two new rules: They can't leave the dugout during the game, and, if they're late for stretching, it's a $500 fine.

        That had Sean Casey sprinting on to the field at 4:14 p.m.

        “One minute. I've got to run. I don't want the fine,” Casey said.

        Ken Griffey Jr. joked with John Allen about paying $90,000 upfront.

        “Get it out of the way and then show at 7:05 p.m every day,” Griffey said.

        OSSIE'S REHAB: Osvaldo Fernandez, on the 15-day disabled with a sore right elbow, made a rehab start at Louisville. Fernandez went 5ö innings, allowing five hits and an unearned run, against Indianapolis. He retired 11 in a row at one point.

        DUNN DEAL: Adam Dunn, the right fielder for Single-A Dayton, had seven RBI Tuesday night. Dunn hit his 13th home run, a grand slam, as the Dragons beat South Bend 14-13 in 11 innings.

        MAZZONE BACK: Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone was back on the job Wednesday after fainting in the dugout Tuesday. Mazzone suffered a nasty cut and some bruises.

        “I came to as I hit the ground,” Mazzone said. “Whew, that was scary.”

        Mazzone spent the night in Good Samaritan Hospital.

        “They did everything from A to Z and couldn't find anything wrong,” Mazzone said.

        Mazzone was so pleased with the care he received at Good Samaritan Hospital that he left 30 tickets to the game for those who took care of him.

        UP NEXT: The Reds are off today. They go to Chicago to begin a three-game series with the Cubs on Friday. Right-hander Rob Bell (5-6, 5.18 ERA) faces right-hander Kevin Tapani (8-8, 4.42) in the opener.

Reds 10, Braves 6 Box, runs Boone has knee surgery Larkin expects to return Friday

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