By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

With Ken Griffey Jr. expected to be out until at least mid-May, the Reds will employ a platoon approach in center field.

Part of that plan may include appearances there by longtime Reds shortstop Barry Larkin.

Larkin and manager Bob Boone discussed the idea during a 30-minute meeting before Sunday's 5-4 win against the Cubs.

Boone originally planned on Larkin starting in center field Sunday, but Reggie Taylor started instead.

"I'm not quite ready for that," Larkin said, "but I'm going to be doing some work and trying to get to the point where if (manager Bob Boone) puts me out there, I'll be able to do the job."

Though all of his 1,949 games in a Reds uniform have been as an infielder over the past 16-plus seasons, Larkin did make one appearance in the outfield this spring.

He will begin taking fly balls Tuesday in Houston.

"We talked this winter and we talked this spring (about the possibility)," Boone said. "In hindsight I wish I would've gotten him out there more times. But I didn't expect catastrophe to strike."

Taylor started Sunday and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. Ruben Mateo also will see time in center.

"I'm definitely going to take some fly balls, work out and see what I can do out there," Larkin said. "In case (Boone) feels the need to put me out there, I'll be able to hold it down and not embarrass myself or the club.

"We'll just have to cross that bridge when we get there."