Longtime Reds shortstop Barry Larkin is expected to be part of a platoon in center field while Ken Griffey Jr. recovers from a dislocated shoulder.

	Larkin

Larkin will begin taking fly balls Tuesday in Houston, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Monday, as the Reds scramble to remedy the loss of Griffey. The Redsopen a three-game series against the Astros on Tuesday night.

"We talked this winter and we talked this spring [about the possibility]" of Larkin getting playing time in the outfield, Reds manager Bob Boone told reporters Sunday. "In hindsight I wish I would've gotten him out there more times. But I didn't expect catastrophe to strike."

Griffey, who was injured after falling on the shoulder while diving for a fly ball, will miss at least six weeks. Surgery -- which would keep him out for the season -- remains a possibility depending on how his recovery goes.

Boone originally planned on Larkin starting in center Sunday against the Cubs, but Reggie Taylor instead got the call and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Cincinnati's 5-4 victory.

"I'm not quite ready for that," Larkin was quoted as saying in the Enquirer, "but I'm going to be doing some work and trying to get to the point where if [Boone] puts me out there, I'll be able to do the job."

Larkin and Boone discussed the manager's outfield plans during a 30-minute meeting before Sunday's game. Backup outfielder Ruben Mateo also will see time in center.

Larkin's 1,949 games in 16-plus seasons as a Red have been as an infielder. He did make one appearance in the outfield this spring.

"I'm definitely going to take some fly balls, work out and see what I can do out there," Larkin said. "In case [Boone] feels the need to put me out there, I'll be able to hold it down and not embarrass myself or the club.

"We'll just have to cross that bridge when we get there."