By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MILWAUKEE — While praising Deion Sanders' abilities Tuesday, Reds manager Bob Boone hinted the outfielder's days with Cincinnati could be numbered.

“I don't know how long he can practice here,” Boone said.

Sanders, along with other fringe players, could be expendable when regulars Aaron Boone, Barry Larkin, and eventually, Ken Griffey Jr., return from the disabled list.

“You start kind of formulating, what are you going to do?” Boone said. “... I think I know what I would do, but I can't share it with you.”

Boone emphasized that any decision regarding Sanders would result from a consensus. Though Boone didn't say who would be included in the consensus, it certainly would include general manager Jim Bowden, Sanders' biggest supporter.

Boone also said in support of Sanders: “I still think there's something there. I think there's some talent.”

Sanders, who didn't start the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, calmly received Boone's remark.

“His feelings are his feelings,” Sanders said. “He has to do whatever he has to do. And I'm willing to do whatever I need to do.”

Sanders is hitting .176 overall and .138 (9-for-65) since his 3-for-3 debut May1. Proving you can do anything with statistics, he has hit safely in four of his last six games, including five starts.

“I think I'm hitting the ball (well); I think they're not falling,” said Sanders, whose NFL future also is in limbo while the Washington Redskins ponder whether to cut him for salary-cap reasons. “The last six or seven games I've been out there, I very easily could have had two hits each game.”