Junior dresses down reporter

SARASOTA, Fla. — The calm of spring training was broken Monday morning when center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. noticed Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci off to the side of the field.

Griffey vented over a CNN/SI online column Verducci had written late last season. In the column, Verducci quoted unnamed managers and general managers who criticized Griffey's attitude.

GOOD ATTITUDE: Non-roster invitee Matt Skrmetta senses he won't make the Opening Day roster. In this case, what he knows doesn't hurt him.

“It's just like Bob Boone said — "Make it fun,'” said Skrmetta, 28. “I'm not worried about making the team. Whatever happens, happens.”

Despite his low profile, Skrmetta has begun building a modest reputation with his effectiveness in throwing batting practice. “I'm just trying to open some eyes and let them know I'm here,” he said.

The right-hander made 14 relief appearances last year with Montreal and Pittsburgh, posting a combined 2-2 record with a 11.66 ERA after performing exclusively in the minors for seven seasons.

Impressed by Skrmetta's velocity, 13 teams expressed interest in him before he signed with Cin cinnati as a minor-league free agent.

ETC.: Osvaldo Fernandez was named to start Thursday's exhibition opener against Cleveland. Bell will be followed by Jim Brower and Dustin Moseley in Wednesday's game against Rollins College.

• Third baseman Aaron Boone signed a one-year contract for $400,000, leaving Bell, Brower, Seth Etherton, Jason LaRue and Hector Mercado as the only unsigned Reds.

• Reese and shortstop Barry Larkin were whisked by limousine to a local photography studio to pose for pictures that will accompany a Sports Illustrated fea ture titled “The Sweet Science of Baseball” in the magazine's season preview issue. Sports Illustrated selected the pair as the majors' best double-play combination.

• Gullett said Etherton, Elmer Dessens and Leo Estrella, who are overcoming shoulder and upper-back weakness, will throw in the bullpen today.

UP NEXT: The Reds' workout will be interrupted by a visit from umpire Mark Hirschbeck, who will explain the nuances of the revised strike zone. A simulated game will follow.

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