SARASOTA, Fla. — Before playing the New York Yankees on Thursday, Reds manager Bob Boone was asked about Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin, his two stars who were coming off injury-plagued seasons.

        “I never ask them how they feel,” Boone said. “They look good. We've kind of babied them. It's a matter of getting ready for April 1.”

        That night against the Yankees, Larkin, of course, went out and felt tightness in abdomen. He left after one inning and hasn't played since. Monday was the Reds' only off day of the spring.

        Boone plans to begin playing the regulars nine innings Wednesday. That includes Larkin and Griffey. But Larkin's minor setback illustrated how gingerly the Reds plan on treating their two big-name stars. Larkin likely could play tonight when the Reds take on the Yankees in Tampa, but Boone will not play him, for caution's sake.

        “Only because I'm paranoid,” Boone said.

        No one expects the Reds to be World Series contenders. But for them to be competitive, Larkin and Griffey must be healthy.

        “We need, obviously, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin to bounce back and play up to their potential and stay healthy,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “That's very important.”

        Griffey missed 70 starts last year after tearing a hamstring muscle in a March 26 spring training game. Larkin missed all but 45 games after tearing a groin muscle and suffering a sports hernia.

        Both players went through extensive offseason training programs. Both have looked good in limited playing time this spring. Larkin is hitting .286 with four RBI in nine games. He has looked fast when scoring from second on a single. He has gone into the hole at shortstop and made plays.

        “I feel strong,” he said. “The groin has been fine.”

        Larkin, who turns 38 next month, was put through stress tests on the groin after the setback Thursday. He checked out OK. The tightness was caused by irritation from the mesh used to repair the hernia.

        “I've got enough time to get ready for April 1,” he said.

        Losing Larkin for an extended period would be a huge blow. The Reds have players who are good defensively — Juan Castro, Gookie Dawkins and Ranier Olmedo — but none can approach Larkin offensively.

        The best offensive choice is Wilton Guerrero, who hit .338 in 142 at-bats last year. But Guerrero isn't nearly as good defensively. The Reds lost Saturday to the Pirates on a ball that Guerrero couldn't reach in the hole at short. Larkin, Castro, Dawkins and Olmedo would have likely made the play.

        Because Boone is admittedly “paranoid” concerning Larkin, Dawkins might make the team. Dawkins would add speed to the roster. But he hit .231 and .226 the last two years in Double A (though he was battling injuries). Dawkins is hitting .143 this spring.

        Olmedo is hitting .250, but he has never played above Single A. A long shot would be playing Aaron Boone at shortstop and Kevin Witt at third. Witt has hit .333 this spring, but he has four errors at third.

        Griffey is less of a worry than Larkin because of his history (Griffey played 160 games in '99 and 161 in '98) and his age (he just turned 32 in November). Griffey started 92 of the Reds' last 97 games last year, and he is hitting .269 this spring with a team-high six RBI. He also has looked fast.

        “I don't even think about it anymore,” he said of the hamstring.

        He says he wants no part of being “babied.”

        “My goal is to play 162 games,” Griffey said. “I prepare to play everyday. That's my mind-set.”

        The Reds are deeper in outfielders than infielders. Juan Encarnacion, obtained in the Dmitri Young trade from Detroit, is a good center fielder and could move over from right. But Griffey's bat, like Larkin's, is impossible to replace. Griffey is 40 home runs from the 500-homer club.

        HAMILTON ROLLS:

        Joey Hamilton pitched six innings of one-run ball for the Reds' Single-A Stockton team against the Baltimore Orioles' Single-A team. The Reds were off Monday, but they wanted to get Hamilton some innings.

        Hamilton continued to make a run for the being the Opening Day starter. He allowed five hits, walked none and struck out six. He retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced.

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