PHOENIX — If Barry Larkin ever misses a game due to frostbite, we'll know why.

        The shortstop said Tuesday that he ices his strained right groin muscle three or four times daily ito ease discomfort, or “crankiness” as Larkin calls it.

        “I think I have iced myself more with this injury than any other in my life,” said Larkin, 37. “I'm talking ice before the game, ice after batting practice, after the game, in the morning. Everything I do is with my legs. That's why it's tough to get past this problem, because I can't really rest it.”

        Larkin injured his groin in the Reds' March 1 exhibition opener, then hurt a different part of the muscle last Thursday. The night before that, Larkin felt so good he stole a base, knowing his legs could support him.

        “When I wake up in the morning, I can tell,” Larkin said, explaining how he evaluates his condition. “Like today, it's better than it was yesterday. But it's not as good as the day we played the Dodgers and I felt like stealing a base. It's a feel thing.”

        Sometimes Larkin feels the need for ice at odd hours.

        “I woke up at 4:30 (a.m.) a couple of nights ago and had to ice it,” he said.

        NO SWEAT: Dennys Reyes' saga of success continues.

        The left-handed reliever, nicknamed “Big Sweat,” pitched two perfect innings in Monday night's 5-4, 10-inning victory over Arizona and has yielded just two earned runs in his last 10 appearances — a span of 11 2/3 innings.

        Though manager Bob Boone has no immediate plans to install Reyes in the starting rotation, he said that could be a possibility if injuries or ineffectiveness plague the staff.

        But Reyes probably wouldn't be able to pitch much past the fifth or sixth inning.

        “Like with (Jim) Brower,” Boone said, referring to Cincinnati's long reliever who has started in three of his six outings. “You've got to watch him.”

        Boone offered several theories for the efficiency of Reyes: pitching more in nings (often as a starter) in spring training, maturity and simply being needed.

        BALKY BACK: Assistant trainer Mark Mann said the Reds' trip here was responsible for Dmitri Young's lower back muscle spasms that have prevented the switch-hitter from starting the last two games.

        “It's a combination of the long plane ride and a different bed,” said Mann, adding that Young woke up with the ailment Monday.

        JUNIOR UPDATE: Center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. had his injured left hamstring checked Monday by a leg specialist in North Carolina, a visit recommended by Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek.

        It was the latest in a series of appointments the Reds have made to make sure they're treating Griffey properly. Like the others, Kremchek said, this one yielded no startling results.

        “We're just touching all the bases,” said Kremchek, who declined to name the specialist. “It didn't change anything we were doing. He's right on board.”

        Kremchek said Griffey returned to Cincinnati the same day to resume his rehabilitation.

D'Backs 4, Reds 3: Johnson gets 20 Ks Johnson doesn't get record, though Rx for Larkin: Ice and more ice Reds box, runs

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