By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ken Griffey Jr.'s role for the last week or so has been a cameo here, a cameo there.Since March 17, he has made only three starts - two in center field and one at designated hitter - and has only seven at-bats.

Is something wrong? Just the opposite.

"I want him to feel good the first day," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "He knows his swing is there."

Griffey has been effective in his limited trips to the plate. He has a hit in each of his last four games. He's hitting .381 with six home runs and 17 RBI. He leads the club in those categories.

Boone has given each of his regulars "hitting days" in the last few days. They spend the day working with hitting coach Tom Robson instead of playing.

"Junior will hit for an hour," Boone said. "Most guys can't do that. After 10 or 15 minutes, most guys get tired and their swing deteriorates."