Lonnie Soloff, the Reds' therapist extraordinaire, had encouraging news to report to team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek this past week when he traveled to Florida to check on shortstop Barry Larkin (left knee), center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. (left hamstring) and catcher Eddie Taubensee (back), who suffered season-ending injuries.

        Larkin, said Kremchek, has worked diligently to strengthen the muscles around his knee. “It's stronger than it has ever been,” Kremchek said. “He's doing exercises he never was able to do before. He was never able to make it strong, because it hurt so much.”

        Because Griffey also encountered occasional discomfort with his knees last year, he has joined Larkin in attempting to build up surrounding muscles. This should enhance Griffey's health, as will Cinergy Field's shift from AstroTurf to grass. Said Kremchek: “That's going to significantly help Junior. The (artificial) turf in the outfield really tears up the kneecap area.”

        Kremchek said Taubensee, whose fitness prompted the Reds to pick up his $1.8 million contractual option for 2001, probably will resume hitting and throwing next month.

        All three, said Kremchek, will visit Cincinnati sometime in December for more tests.

        BOONE UPDATE: Kremchek added that third baseman Aaron Boone's recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee has remained smooth.

        Boone, who has stayed in Cincinnati to undergo his rehabilitation, probably will be allowed to run and take “soft-toss” batting practice in the next few weeks.

        LEFTY SHELVED: Not all the Reds' injury news is good. Left-hander Lance Davis, who finished 8-5 with a 2.44 ERA this year at Double- and Triple-A, suffered biceps tendinitis and was sent home from the Arizona Fall League after appearing in three games.

        “Surgery is a possibility, but if we can avoid it, we'd like to,” Kremchek said. He said he hopes a combination of rest and exercise will suffice for Davis.

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