By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CHICAGO - The Reds are hoping the policy doesn't kick in, but if Ken Griffey Jr.'s injury proves to be season-ending, the club will collect 75 percent of Griffey's $12.5 million salary in insurance.

"There's a 90-day deductible," Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. "They have to be out 90 consecutive days with the same injury."

Griffey, who dislocated his right shoulder April 6, is expected to miss six to 10 weeks.

Because of the way the policy is structured, Griffey missed 92 games last year without it paying off.

Griffey missed those games last year with three separate injuries.

The Reds have insurance on most of the players who have long-term contracts.

LARSON OUT: Brandon Larson was out of the lineup for Wednesday's game. Juan Castro started at third base.

The obvious reason - Larson's struggles - was part of it. But Larson also has a slightly strained groin muscle.

"He felt some discomfort," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "It's not something that would ordinarily keep him out."

But given Larson's hitting woes - he entered Wednesday with a .098 average - Boone decided to give him a day off.

"He can watch from over here (in the dugout)," Boone said. "It always looks easier from over here."

Larson, a 26-year-old rookie, had started 13 of the Reds' first 14 games. Boone is looking for anyone who can help the offense.

Castro had a hit in his only at-bat after entering Tuesday's game. He went 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Ruben Mateo started for the first time against a right-hander Wednesday.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with a walk Tuesday and 2-for-5 Wednesday.

Reggie Taylor, who has been starting in center against right-handers, is 3-for-21 in the six games he has started since Ken Griffey Jr. was injured.

KEARNS IN CENTER: Mateo started in right field, with Austin Kearns making his first start of the year in center.

Kearns has played eight games in center. He started two games there last year.

"It doesn't bother me," Kearns said. "You just have more ground to cover. I should be able to do it."

Kearns made one nice running catch in shallow center to rob Moises Alou of a hit in the fourth.

WEATHER CHANGE: The balmy weather ended Wednesday. The Reds awoke to more typical Chicago spring weather: cold, windy and damp.

It was 79 degrees for the first pitch Tuesday. It was 45 degrees for Wednesday's first pitch.

MANZIE MYSTERY: Josias Manzanillo's struggles, Boone said, have more to do with the way he's attacking hitters than his stuff.

"You saw it (Tuesday)," Boone said. "One inning he was tentative. The next inning he was dominant. That's what we saw in the spring. Every slider was sharp. That second inning, it was, 'Here, hit this.' "

Manzanillo struck out three of the last four hitters he faced. But he allowed two home runs before that. He has allowed runs in five of his seven appearances after allowing only one run in 11 spring appearances.

DUNN AT FIRST: Adam Dunn will start at first base today. Sean Casey will miss the series finale against the Cubs because he is returning to Cincinnati, where his wife, Mandi, will give birth to their second child.

Casey has played every inning at first this season.

Dunn was a regular there last year when Casey was out with a shoulder injury.

"He's been taking grounders there for the last week," Boone said. "We knew Casey was going to be out."

Dunn said he prefers left field.

"I like running around out there," he said. "I'm not very good at it, but I like it."

UP NEXT: The Reds wrap up the series, then depart for Puerto Rico for a three-game series with the Expos. Right-hander Jimmy Haynes (0-3, 10.38 ERA) takes on right-hander Kerry Wood (2-0, 2.70).