CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Reds endured their third exhibition rainout Monday when showers drenched Jack Russell Stadium, the Philadelphia Phillies' spring home.

        Though this threatened to wreak havoc upon Bob Boone's pitching plans, the manager said he'd wait to see how the weather would affect today's activity before announcing how he'd adjust.

        Weather permitting, starting candidates Scott Williamson and Chris Reitsma will pitch in a minor-league intrasquad game today, the lone scheduled off-day of the spring for players in major-league camp.

        Boone was mildly concerned about getting enough work for Osvaldo Fernandez, the scheduled starter against Philadelphia. Aware that rain was virtually certain, Boone kept Fernandez and left-hander Dennys Reyes at the Reds' training complex in Sarasota to pitch in a minor-league game. “That's why you get up at 6 a.m.,” Boone said. But Fernandez threw all of five pitches in a perfect first inning before rain stopped play in Sarasota, too.

        Boone said he wants Fernandez to pitch before his next scheduled start against Detroit on Saturday, saying that a two-inning stint would suffice. Boone mentioned the possibility of organizing a “B” game against another team, but finding an opponent could prove challenging.

        Relievers Scott Sullivan — who would have replaced Fernandez to start against Philadelphia — and Mark Wohlers threw in the indoor batting cages upon returning to Sarasota.

        LARKIN UPDATE: While most of his teammates accomplished little on a soggy Monday, shortstop Barry Larkin edged closer to returning to action.

        Trainer Greg Lynn said Larkin tested his strained right groin in running exercises with therapist Lonnie Soloff. Larkin also took batting practice with the players who didn't travel to Clearwater for the washed-out exhibition against Philadelphia.

        “Each day they've kind of stepped up the intensity and he has responded well to it,” Lynn said.

        Team physician Dr. Tim Kremchek will examine Larkin on Wednesday.

        BRAVO, BENITO: Catcher Jason LaRue was among several Reds who welcomed the news that ex-teammate Benito Santiago signed a minor-league contract with San Francisco.

        “That's outstanding. He showed last year he could still play,” LaRue said of Santiago, a fellow catcher who hit .262 with eight home runs and 45 RBI in 89 games with the Reds.

        LaRue praised Santiago not only for his skill, but also for his graciousness.

        “Benny helped me a lot last year and I appreciate everything he did for me,” LaRue said. “You can run across people who may not be willing to give out all the information they know. Benny was not that way. He did anything and everything possible to help me better myself and was always pulling for me. That's the way I'm going to be if there's ever a catcher coming in under me.”

        ETC.: Lynn said that utilityman Donnie Sadler, who suffered a mild hyperextension of his left knee Sunday, worked out and appeared to be in decent shape. However, Lynn wouldn't predict when Sadler would resume playing.

        • Former Reds shortstop Dave Concepcion, in Florida as part of a Venezuelan television crew, visited the Reds' clubhouse in Clearwater.

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