CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams made a rare visit to Wrigley Field, prompting instant — and far-fetched — speculation he was trying to trade left-hander David Wells to the Reds.

        Bowden has made no secret of his admiration for Wells, who helped the Reds win the 1995 Central Division title as a stretch-drive acquisition. But Cincinnati cannot afford the $9.25 million Wells is due this year, or his $10 million option for 2002 — unless the White Sox are willing to pay a significant portion of his salary.

        The Reds could help reduce the salary imbalance with a deal involving Dmitri Young ($3.5 million), to bolster Chicago's sagging offense, or Pokey Reese ($3.2 million), who could replace shortstop Royce Clayton.

        The most likely suitors for Wells are said to be Atlanta and Milwaukee.

        Additionally, the Cubs are known to have been eyeing Cincinnati's surplus of outfielders, though prospects for an intradivisional trade are slender. The Cubs are unlikely to trade for an outfielder who could improve their offense until they get a longer look at recently promoted Todd Dunwoody and gauge their chances of staying in contention.

        INJURY UPDATE: Barry Larkin (strained right groin) hasn't been allowed to participate in on-field drills but should receive that clearance sometime during the homestand beginning tonight.

        Larkin was encouraged by how he has felt during the Cubs series as he climbed the stairs to the visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley. “That's not really bothering me too much,” he said. “It's better than it was. Because that bothered me before.”

        Asked if Young (bruised left knee) could return to the lineup tonight, manager Bob Boone replied, “Hopefully.”

        The switch-hitter missed his fourth straight start.

        Reese (right thumb, forefinger) missed his second game in a row and didn't take batting practice, though he participated in fielding drills. Boone indicated an examination could be in store for Reese, who reported discomfort in his thumb that had a screw inserted to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in 1998. “I didn't know a screw that was in there three years ago is supposed to hurt,” Boone said.

        Right-hander Pete Harnisch (elbow), suffering from stomach pain, delayed his next round of throwing until today.

        BAD RECORD: A fifth-inning homer by Gary Matthews Jr. off Scott Winchester made Thursday's game the 14th game in a row in which Reds opponents have hit at least one home run. That's a club record, breaking the 1955 mark set June 29-July 10.

        Boone attributed this to the club's mostly young and inexperienced staff.

        “My basic theory is, don't give in (to hitters). Pitch away from a home run,” Boone said. “It takes a lot of hits and walks to score as many runs. It's a concern, because virtually every home run has been a mistake.”

        As examples, Boone cited the leadoff home runs Houston's Julio Lugo hit May13 and 14. They came on high fastballs, though Boone said Reds pitchers knew Lugo liked that kind of pitch. REYES RETURNS: Dennys Reyes' trip to Mexico remained somewhat a mystery, though the left-hander finally was back in uniform.

        Asked what kind of therapy he received for the discomfort in his throwing elbow, which prompted his visit home, Reyes said, “Hot pads and stuff like that.”

        Reyes' therapist, who helped him work through a similar problem two years ago, is named Mario. What's his last name? “I don't know. I just call him that,” Reyes said.

        UP NEXT: Chris Reitsma (2-4) opposes St. Louis' Andy Benes (3-3) in tonight's opener of a three-game series at Cinergy Field. Benes was 3-0 against Cincinnati last year.

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