Reds plan to switch Griffey to right field

SARASOTA, Fla. -- If Ken Griffey Jr. is ready to play on
Opening Day, he will be in right field.

Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron said Monday he expects to
start Ryan Freel in center because Griffey is still working his way
back from a broken left hand. The longtime center fielder was
injured in the offseason while wrestling with his kids.

"Right now, that's what our plan is. We would have loved for
him to be available Opening Day to play center field -- it just
didn't work out," Narron said.

Griffey, a 10-time Gold Glove winner in center, has taken fly
balls and made throws from right field in practice. Narron said he
was very cautious about deciding to move the 37-year-old slugger
from his customary spot.

"We had to make a decision. This late in the spring we need to
get our club out on the field," he said. "I've got to do
everything I can do to put our best club out there. My feeling is
that with Ryan Freel out there, it gives us strong defense up the
middle."

Elias Says

Reds manager Jerry Narron said Monday that Ryan Freel will probably start in center field on Opening Day and that if Ken Griffey Jr. is in the lineup, it will probably be in right field. Griffey has made only two starts outside of center field in his career -- once in left field in 2002 (with Reggie Taylor in center field) and once in right field in 2004 (with Wily Mo Pena in center). The game in 2004 was Griffey's return to the lineup after tearing his hamstring; he reinjured the leg in that game and did not play the field again that season. • Read more Elias Says.

Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, said his client had known the
Reds' plans.

"Junior understands the team tells us where he should play, and
that's the way it should be," Goldberg said.

In other news, the Reds optioned relievers Brad Salmon and
Brian Shackelford to Triple-A Louisville. Shackelford has bounced between
Cincinnati and the minor leagues the past two seasons.

"All of us have seen what Shackelford can do against
left-handers," Narron said. "He needs to do something about
right-handers. He needs regular work."

Matt Belisle, who has emerged as the favorite to earn the job as
the fifth starter for the Reds, was to pitch in a minor league game
on the off day Tuesday to keep on schedule. Bobby Livingston,
another starting candidate, also was to pitch in the minor league
game.