By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reds Hall of Famer Johnny Bench thinks what is perceived as non-action on the steroid issue may in fact serve to clean up the problem.

Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench says players seeking an artificial edge is nothing new. (AP/file photo)

"I think they're saying: 'We're going to do this. Get off it,' " Bench said. "There's going to be testing. It's going to be settled, but guys on it have time to get off it."

Bench says players seeking an artificial edge is nothing new.

"When I played, certain non-prescription drugs - amphetamines - were used," he said. "Then they became illegal."

Bench played at 6-feet-2, 208 pounds. He was the only starter on the Big Red Machine to weigh 205 pounds or more. Today, five of the Reds' eight starters weigh 205 or more.

"Today there are so many different weights, and players train so much harder," Bench said. "I saw (Barry) Bonds a few years ago, and he told me he trained 49 weeks a year. I saw him again and asked him if he still trained 49 weeks. He said, 'No, I'm up to 52.' "

The weight training, legal supplements and workout regimens add size, but Bench says that's a small part of it.

"There's still skills," he said. "There's no steroid that adds skills."

MORE BENCH: Bench spent Tuesday watching Reds minor leaguers play.

"I'm impressed with all the arms," he said. "They've got some really good arms out here. And they've got people who can mentor them."

LARSON UPDATE: Brandon Larson wasn't in the lineup again Tuesday night.

The Reds still aren't sure when Larson, who suffered a turf toe injury March 10, will return.

"He wanted to be out there," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "But a turf toe is something you don't want to push the envelop with. We're going to wait until he's 100 percent."

The Reds have three other options at third: Juan Castro, Ryan Freel and Tim Hummel.

Castro is by far the best defensively, and he's coming off his best offensive season (.253, nine home runs, 33 RBI).

Freel's speed adds a dimension offensively. He's had a great spring as far as getting on base (.463 on-base percentage).

Hummel's had only 84 big-league at-bats (all last season), and his defense has been below par this spring.