Larkin’s Groin Injury Has Reds Concerned

Barry Larkin’s strained right groin muscle has Cincinnati Manager Bob Boone wondering if his shortstop will be ready for opening day in three weeks.

Larkin is expected to sit out at least a week’s worth of exhibition games after previously sitting out six days.

“He had a little bit of a muscle twinge,” team physician Timothy Kremchek said.

Larkin, 36, missed 59 starts last year with two finger injuries and a sprained ligament in his left knee. Boone said he will worry more if Larkin’s injury hasn’t significantly responded to treatment within two weeks.

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Nomar Garciaparra’s injured right wrist is making progress, but the two-time defending American League batting champion still does not know when he will be able to play again.

The shortstop’s cast was removed and the wrist examined Monday by team physician Bill Morgan. Swelling has decreased, although the wrist is stiff, Garciaparra said. He had a new cast put on, and the wrist will be re-examined in a week.

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Texas Ranger outfielder Ricky Ledee has a torn hamstring and will be sidelined at least two weeks. He may need surgery, meaning he would be out another month. . . . Chuck Knoblauch made four bad throws, and Roger Clemens gave up six runs and 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings during the New York Yankees’ 8-7 loss the Minnesota Twins. “It was a rough day, that’s about all I can say,” Knoblauch said after making two throwing errors from second base. In his past three games, Knoblauch has made seven bad throws--including four errors. “You just have to fight your way through it,” Manager Joe Torre said. “There’s no magic formula. He’s addressing it, he’s working hard. The only thing we can do is support him.” Clemens, who threw 40 of 72 pitches for strikes, hadn’t given up a run or a hit in five innings during two previous starts. . . . The Cleveland Indians signed catcher Einar Diaz to a $6.3-million, four-year contract.