SARASOTA, Fla. - Ken Griffey Jr. didn't commit himself to a date when he might return from the tight left hamstring that will sideline him again today.

        “Whenever the doctor says, "Go out there,'” Griffey said when asked when he'll play again.

        Today will extend Griffey's inactive streak to four days, though he wasn't scheduled to play Sunday, the first day of that stretch. Griffey indicated that day of rest may have helped cause the discomfort to develop: “I think it was having a day off and coming into that cold weather. It just didn't loosen up.”

        Hearing the suggestion that the newly installed grass at Cinergy Field could help him avoid aches and pains, Griffey said: “I don't know. I've never been on grass.” Griffey played a half-season on grass when his previous team, Seattle, moved into Safeco Field in 1999, but he said that wasn't a representative sampling, because the sod hadn't taken hold yet.

        “A couple of guys made some dives in the outfield and took out some pretty big chunks,” he said. “So you couldn't really judge.”

        HOT AIR: General Manager Jim Bowden refused to comment on a recent statement by disgruntled Los Angeles slugger Gary Sheffield, who said he'd consider waiving his no-trade clause to go to the Reds, Chicago Cubs or Texas Rangers.

        Sheffield's top three preferred destinations remain both New York teams and the Atlanta Braves. The Reds inquired about Sheffield weeks ago but balked at the Dodgers' asking price, which included Dmitri Young and Pokey Reese and prospects Austin Kearns and Ty Howington.

        BY THE NUMBERS: New York Yankees catcher Joe Oliver, the former Red who played for ex-manager Pete Rose, is wearing jersey No.14. Hal Morris, the once and perhaps future Red who joined rejoined the team Tuesday, was issued No.44.

Reds call Morris in a pinch RHP Reitsma aims to impress Griffey uncertain when he can play Game report: Reds 11, Yankees 4

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