Dontrelle Willis is all set to start on opening day. If Ken Griffey Jr. is ready to play, he’ll find himself in right field.

Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron said Monday he expects to start Ryan Freel in center April 2 against the Chicago Cubs because Griffey is still working his way back from a broken left hand. The longtime center fielder was injured in the offseason while wrestling with his kids.

“Right now, that’s what our plan is. We would have loved for him to be available opening day to play center field – it just didn’t work out,” Narron said in Sarasota, Fla.

Griffey, a 10-time Gold Glove winner in center, has taken fly balls and made throws from right field in practice. Narron said he was very cautious about deciding to move the 37-year-old slugger from his customary spot.

“We had to make a decision. This late in the spring, we need to get our club out on the field,” Narron said. “I’ve got to do everything I can do to put our best club out there. My feeling is that with Ryan Freel out there, it gives us strong defense up the middle.”

The Florida Marlins certainly know where they want Willis – on the mound for the season opener April 2 at Washington. So when new manager Fredi Gonzalez announced the expected decision, only one guy seemed taken aback.

“Of course I’m surprised,” Willis said in Jupiter, Fla. “I’m excited. I wanted it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll have it next year. You never want to assume anything in this game.”

In other news, San Diego Padres left-hander David Wells has Type 2 diabetes, which the team says is controllable.

“It’s something he’ll have to manage and something we’ll have to help him manage,” chief executive officer Sandy Alderson said. “It’s not unprecedented by any means.”

In spring training games:

Pirates 5, Phillies 1

At Clearwater, Fla., Adam Eaton finished another outing, answered more questions about moving to the bullpen and went home still in the rotation. Eaton struggled over five innings for Philadelphia. Ian Snell was sharp, tossing five scoreless innings for the Pirates.

Blue Jays 9, Yankees 1

At Dunedin, Fla., Jeff Karstens, who has put himself into consideration for Kei Igawa’s spot in New York’s rotation, allowed his first runs of the year when he gave up four over 41â3 innings.

Braves 6, Indians 0

At Kissimmee, Fla., Chuck James overcame control problems to throw five scoreless innings for Atlanta, lowering his ERA to 2.57. Braves starters have a 2.25 ERA this spring.

Tigers 6, Reds 2

At Lakeland, Fla., Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya was frequently clocked at 102 mph by the new electronic screen installed atop the center-field fence at Joker Marchant Stadium, and one pitched registered 103 mph.

Nationals 9, Dodgers 1

At Viera, Fla., Washington starter Shawn Hill pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only four singles. In four starts this spring, he has a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings. He is slated to be the Nationals’ No. 2 starter behind John Patterson.

Padres 11, Athletics 4

At Phoenix, only defensive lapses behind him kept Esteban Loaiza from becoming the first Oakland pitcher to go six innings this spring. He threw 86 pitches in 51â3 innings.

Mariners (ss) 8, Diamondbacks 5

At Peoria, Ariz., Jarrod Washburn allowed one run and four hits in 42â3 innings for Seattle, and Jose Guillen homered.

Cubs (ss) 16, Mariners (ss) 4

At Mesa, Ariz., Michael Barrett hit two homers and drove in four runs, Aramis Ramirez had a two-run shot, and Alfonso Soriano added a solo drive for Chicago.

Cubs (ss) 11, Brewers 7

At Phoenix, Milwaukee rookie Ryan Braun hit his fifth home run of spring training, tying for the Cactus League lead, but was sent back to minor-league camp after making his fourth throwing error at third base.

Astros 4, Marlins 2

At Jupiter, Fla., Jason Lane hit two home runs for Houston, including a three-run shot off reliever Mike Koplove.