By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Fans seeking a preview of the Reds' Opening Day lineup may have to look no further than Monday's lineup in the 6-2 spring training victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

And while Reds manager Dave Miley won't say injured third baseman Brandon Larson is definitely out of the Opening Day lineup, it's looking like that will be the case.

Larson missed his 18th straight game Monday with a turf toe injury. He continues to progress, but the Reds have only five exhibition games left.

"It's something we had to look at," Miley said. "He hasn't faced live pitching since March 10."

Infielder Brandon Larson is recovering from a toe injury. (Michael E. Keating photo)

Monday's lineup was:

• 2B D'Angelo Jimenez

• SS Barry Larkin

• CF Ken Griffey Jr.

• RF Austin Kearns

• LF Adam Dunn

• 1B Sean Casey

• C Jason LaRue

• 3B Ryan Freel

If Larson is out for Opening Day, Miley would probably use those eight players, but not necessarily in that order. Freel might be leading off, with Jimenez seventh and LaRue eighth.

The Reds are still hopeful about Larson. They could accelerate his progress by getting him extra at-bats in minor league games.

Larson increased his activity again Monday.

Today is a crucial day.

"We'll see how he reacts to increased activity," trainer Mark Mann said. "We'll try to put a date on when he can participate in a game."

Say Larson is cleared and plays Wednesday. That would give him five days to get ready.

Would he be a better option at that point than Ryan Freel or Juan Castro?

The week ahead

Today vs. Minnesota, 1:05 p.m. Wednesday vs. Toronto, 1:05 p.m. Thursday at Pittsburgh, 1:05 p.m. Friday at Toronto, 1:05 p.m. Saturday vs. Baltimore at Chattanooga, Tenn., 1:05 p.m. Sunday Reds work out at Great American Ball Park, 1 p.m. Monday Opening Day, vs. Cubs, 2:10 p.m.

Freel has had a good spring. He went into Monday hitting .302 with a .444 on-base percentage and six steals. He's played well in his starts at third since Larson's been hurt.

Castro is hitting .260 this spring, but he is clearly the best option defensively.

Miley would not say who will start if Larson doesn't.

"I can't commit one way or the other," he said. "We've got some options. Ryan's done a good job down there in the games he's played. Castro obviously can play third. We'll see how it plays out."

It looks like Freel and Castro are the two choices. Tim Hummel has hit .308 this spring, but the Reds don't like his defense.

The Reds likely won't be bringing in another player.

"It's conceivable (that we would)," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "But it's not probable."

O'Brien said one player the Reds won't be bringing in is Damian Jackson. The former Red was released by the Colorado Rockies Monday.

"I talked to his agent," O'Brien said. "I told him, given the current roster, I didn't see an opportunity for him here, barring injury."

Jackson, 30, hit .261 with a home run and 13 RBI and 16 steals in 161 at-bats with the Boston Red Sox last year. He played mostly second base and shortstop, but he also played third, first and outfield.

Larson is still hopeful he can play.

"I've stepped it up quite a bit," he said. "I've done some side-to-side stuff. We've got a week left. I'd like to get some at-bats. But I'm going by what they say."

"They" are trainer Mann and medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek. Kremchek will examine Larson today.

The results of that examination will go a long way in determining the Opening Day lineup.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com