Injuries Finally Get Best of Larkin

Cincinnati Red shortstop Barry Larkin, who has played through a variety of injuries this season, finally went on the disabled list Tuesday. Larkin had refused to let an inflamed left heel keep him from playing. But Cincinnati’s captain went on the 15-day disabled list with a ruptured left calf muscle.

The Reds said he could be out from two to six weeks.

Larkin left Monday night’s game in Cleveland with what was initially called a strained left calf. He had pulled up after leading off the second inning with a double against Orel Hershiser in the first regular-season game between the Ohio teams.

Pitcher John Smiley took Larkin’s spot on the roster, returning from the 15-day disabled list where he was placed because of a strained groin.

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New York Met pitcher Armando Reynoso was carted off the field in the second inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium after he was struck on the left knee by a line drive.

Luis Sojo hit a line drive through the middle that hit Reynoso on the knee just as the right-hander had planted his left leg. Reynoso went down immediately in pain.

Reynoso was on the ground for several minutes before leaving the field on a golf cart. Reynoso was examined by a Yankee team doctor and diagnosed with a bruise. He was to be reexamined today by the Met team doctor.

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Dodger catcher Mike Piazza is the leading vote-getter for the National League All-Star team. In balloting results released Tuesday Piazza had 1,125,378 votes. Second overall was outfielder Kenny Lofton of Atlanta with 927,029.