By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Early this spring, a Reds employee congratulated Ken Griffey Jr. on being first on the active home run list - non-steroid division.

Griffey is actually tied for fourth on the active list with Fred McGriff, of Tampa Bay, at 491. Barry Bonds (658), Sammy Sosa (539) and Rafael Palmeiro (528) are ahead of Griffey. Bonds and Sosa have spent the spring dealing with steroid issue.

Griffey has never been accused of using anything illegal, but he doesn't want to point fingers at others. "I don't use (steroids)," Griffey said. "So it doesn't concern me. I can't control what other people say or think."

Griffey is ambivalent on testing.

"It doesn't matter to me if they test or not," he said. "People will get around it."

Major League Baseball continues to deal with the steroid issue. MLB sent a memorandum to all 30 clubs Feb. 20, banning personal trainers, agents and friends from clubhouses, fields and other facilities.

The Feb. 20 memo was obtained by the Associated Press. It didn't mention steroids, but said "recent events have reinforced the need to consistently and uniformly enforce regulations limiting clubhouse access."

Paul Wilson, pitcher. (Michael E. Keating photo)

OPENING DAY STARTER? Paul Wilson will start for the Reds Thursday against the Pirates in Bradenton.

That's probably a pretty good hint on who will start on Opening Day against the Chicago Cubs on April 5.

Wilson was the Reds' most effective starter last year. He went 8-10 with 4.64 ERA.

Last year's Opening Day starter, Jimmy Haynes, went 2-12 before shutting it down for the season with a bad back.

Haynes is being held out of throwing because testing showed weakness in his core muscles.

ABSENT: Outfielder Stephen Smitherman will miss today and Sunday's workout. He is returning to his home in Oklahoma for the funeral of an uncle.

SIGNED: Aaron Harang and Wily Mo Pena signed one-year deals Friday.

Thirteen players remain unsigned: Jose Acevedo, Brandon Claussen, Adam Dunn, Ryan Freel, Austin Kearns, Brandon Larson, Felipe Lopez, Corky Miller, Phil Norton, Ray Olmedo, Smitherman, Joe Valentine and Ryan Wagner. The renewal period begins Tuesday.