"If Griffey can play. . . "

Jerry Narron was talking about the roster when he said this: "A lot will depend on if (Ken) Griffey can play." He was talking about on Opening Day, not spring training. It's the first time anyone on the Reds talked about the possibility of the Griffey not being ready to start the season. "If it's Match 14 and a guy still can't play. . . " Narron said. "You've got to have some spring training. Hopefully, he'll be able to get out there and play enough." Griffey would not say if he thinks he'll be ready to play by Opening Day. "I'll let you guys know when I'm ready to play," he said. He's not real happy with me over what I wrote Sunday. "If you think I'm that shallow you all need to never talk to me again. That's bull," he said or words to that effect. Griffey hasn't played in a game. He's still recovering from the broken left hand he suffered in December. I wrote that there was possibly more keeping him out than the hand. Apparently, he disputes that.