Barry Larkin is a long way from being ready to return to the Reds. He hasn't taken batting practice. His only real baseball activity is throwing.

        “I'm just trying to get the groin healed,” he said.

        Larkin has been on the disabled list since June 29 with a strained groin.

        The Reds are in last place in the six-team National League Central, 19 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. So the Reds could go a tear and still be buried on Aug.1.

        If that's the case, Larkin might shut it down for the year. But it's still not likely.

        “I don't know,” he said. “We'll see ... assuming I'm 100 percent, I think I'll play regardless of where we are (in the standings).”

        The key is getting to 100 percent.

        Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek couldn't put a date on when that might be.

        “Somebody asked me if I thought he was out for the year,” Kremchek said. “I don't think so. We're trying to get him ready.”

        Complicating all this is Larkin's sports hernia. The time on the DL hasn't improved it any.

        “It still hurts when I sneeze or cough,” he said.

        So even if the groin is 100 percent, Larkin might not be able to play at 100 percent. The decision could be made to give up on the season and have surgery to repair the hernia. Such surgery has a recovery time of three months.

        “That's a possibility,” he said. “But I want to play.”

        Kremchek said it's not certain the hernia will require surgery.

        “We're hoping it won't,” he said.

Bonds Watch: No homers

Indians 5, Reds 1 Rijo rushing Reds' timetable Injured Larkin nowhere near returning Hamstring still bothering Griffey Indians' rookie pitcher has it all over Reds' Brower happy to face former team Reds box, runs

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