CHICAGO - Though Dr. Tim Kremchek said center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. (left hamstring) “really has turned a corner” in his recovery, the Reds medical director refused to predict when the slugger might be activated from the disabled list.

        Kremchek said Griffey probably would undergo another series of strength tests today or Thursday and would be reassessed in the next four or five days.

        Shortstop Barry Larkin (right groin) and third baseman Aaron Boone (broken right hand) almost surely won't play before the Reds return home Friday against Colorado, though both believed they were healthy enough to resume playing within days.

        Larkin tried running the bases for the first time and said: “I think I'm really, really, really close. "Really close' hopefully means playing every day. Nine innings. Not getting out there and being pinch run for every day and having to come out in the seventh inning.”

        Larkin said he'll try running again today.

        Boone, who refrained from hitting for three days after experiencing discomfort while taking batting practice last Friday, also will test himself again today.

        “I felt stronger, and there was less pain,” he said. “I feel like (I can play) sooner than later, that's for sure. I'd be very disappointed if I wasn't back in about a week.”

        PITCHING PLANS: GM Jim Bowden said Triple-A left-hander Lance Davis is “tentatively” scheduled to start against Colorado on Saturday, when the Reds need a fifth starter.

        Cincinnati must make a roster move before then to clear room for Davis, who's 7-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 13 starts for Louisville. Right-handers Chris Nichting and Scott Winchester appear to be the most likely candidates for a demotion.

        That could be the only Reds start Davis makes if Pete Harnisch's recovery proceeds as planned. Harnisch, who threw just seven pitches in his injury rehabilitation start last Saturday with Louisville before a line drive struck him on the right ankle and knocked him out of the game, hopes he can regain his spot in the starting rotation in time to pitch at Houston next Thursday.

        Before then, Harnisch intends to throw on the side today and pitch a simulated game Saturday.

        ETC.: Including Tuesday, Cincinnati will face five left-handed starting pitchers in a six-game stretch: David Wells and Mark Buehrle of the White Sox, and Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle and Brian Bohanon of Colorado.

        UP NEXT: White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle (4-3), who has thrown 24 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, will oppose right-hander Rob Bell (0-4).

White Sox 5, Reds 0 Griffey could win spot on All-Star team Bowden: Not interested in Pirates' job Dunn will join Reds this season Griffey gets good progress report Wells goes from worst start to best Reds box, runs

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