Weather permitting, Griffey to play today

The Cincinnati slugger is expected to serve as the designated hitter.
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- Unless it rains, Ken Griffey Jr. will play today for the first time this spring after weeks of a go-slow approach mandated by the Cincinnati Reds as he returns from a torn hamstring.
The Reds plan to use Griffey as a designated hitter against the Detroit Tigers, limiting his running by excusing him from playing the outfield.
The Reds have been cautious with Griffey this spring. He has been running and doing other rehabilitation to improve his conditioning.
Griffey finished agility drills Wednesday in his last preparation for game action. He has worked out three hours a day, running the bases, taking batting practice and shagging fly balls.
"We took it easy on him today," Reds trainer Mark Mann said. "He finished his agility drills this morning and that's it for today. He's had no setbacks and no complaints."
Griffey, 35, has been sidelined by serious injuries each of the last four seasons. He had surgery last Aug. 16 to reattach his torn right hamstring.
The Reds have received permission from Major League Baseball and Detroit, Philadelphia and Cleveland to use the designated hitter during Reds' home games. The Reds play four consecutive home games beginning today with Detroit.
His schedule
Griffey will be the designated hitter for two days, take a day off, then be the DH in two more games, followed by another off day.
"It gives me a chance to see some live pitches, to work more on timing," Griffey said.
Trainers have worked closely with Griffey since he reported to training camp on Feb. 15. They have been watching how he responds to changes of direction and stops.
"I have had the normal spring training soreness, but I've felt good enough to play. But there is no rush," he said.
"I run the bases everyday. It is with two trainers watching. So I run more than the other guys, because there are two of them."
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.