SARASOTA, Fla. — In the spring's first ominous health-related developments, three Reds pitchers have been identified with muscular weakness in their shoulders and upper backs and told not to throw for at least another week.

        Right-handers Elmer Dessens, Seth Etherton and Leo Estrella have begun an ambitious exercise program that requires as much as five hours a day to complete. The workouts include plyometric exercises, which help build power and coordination.

        Dessens, Etherton and Estrella will be tested in another eight to 10 days and can begin throwing if they've strengthened themselves sufficiently.

        Though the setbacks aren't serious for now, they could complicate the Reds' pitching plans if they linger. Dessens, 11-5 last year with Cincinnati, and Etherton, 5-1 for Anaheim, are two of the leading candidates for the starting rotation. Etherton, who finished last season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, also is trying to improve his flexibility.

        Estrella threw two no-hitters in the minors last year and immediately became one of the organization's top prospects upon being obtained last Nov.22 from Toronto in the Steve Parris trade.

        Significantly, the isokinetic test that revealed these physical problems last Wednesday was the same one that exposed Denny Neagle's and Pete Harnisch's shoulder trouble in recent years.

        “It (the test) holds a little water, I think,” Reds physical therapist Lonnie Soloff said.

        LUEBBERS AILING: Right-hander Larry Luebbers also hasn't thrown as he waits for a sore tendon in his right wrist to improve.

        Luebbers, the Cincinnati native who graduated from St. Henry High School in Erlanger, Ky. and attended the University of Kentucky, suffered the same injury after pitching 6 2/3 innings at Detroit last July 17. He didn't pitch again until July 30 and made his final 13 appearances in relief.

        Trainer Greg Lynn said that team physician Dr. Tim Kremchek will examine Luebbers today. If all goes well, Luebbers could be cleared to throw later this week.

        ETC.: A brush fire about 100 miles away was so heavy that the air around the City of Sarasota Sports Complex was thick with smoke.

        • No absences were expected as position players were due to report by midnight Sunday. They'll undergo physical exams today before Tuesday's initial full-squad workout.

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