BY JOHN FAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Damian Jackson is among three rookies who apparently have made the Reds roster. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

SARASOTA, Fla. - The roughest cut didn't come at all.

The Reds will head north with Pat Watkins, Damian Jackson and Aaron Boone. It had looked like they would have to send one of the three rookies, most likely Boone, to the minor leagues.

Instead, outfielder Melvin Nieves, who is recovering from hernia surgery in January, will start the season on the disabled list.

The only other question about the Opening Day roster is whether Mark Hutton or Ricardo Jordan will be on it. Hutton pulled a groin muscle Tuesday and may start on the DL. If he does, Jordan, a 27-year-old left-hander, will come north instead.

Watkins, Boone and Jackson will start the year as backups. But, with the Reds in the rebuilding mode, all could push for starting spots.

''They're all as talented as the we have playing,'' General Manager Jim Bowden said. ''They're going to give a lot of our starters something to worry about. None of them has anything left to prove at Triple-A.''

Pat Watkins

One of the three will likely head back to Triple-A Indianapolis shortly because Nieves is eligible to come off the disabled list April 6. Barry Larkin also may come off the DL that day.

Meanwhile, they'll be one step from getting a chance under McKeon. ''You know what the old saying is: 'You've got to be there to get a chance,' '' he said.

''You never know what's going to happen. Someone could get hurt, or struggle. One of these guys could be the next Stynes or Nunnally.''

Chris Stynes and Jon Nunnally were players who got a chance under McKeon and used it to earn a starting job.

''It's a pretty good feeling,'' Boone said. ''The last few days, I've gone through a lot of emotions. Hopefully, I'll be able to help the team.''

Aaron Boone

Boone was widely considered the odd man out because Watkins won the fourth outfield position and Jackson can play several positions. Boone admitted he pressed early in camp.

''Jim Bowden took me aside and said, 'We know what you can do, just get yourself ready,' '' Boone said. ''I started to relax. I treated every at-bat like I was getting ready for April.''

Boone's average is only .200, but he leads the team with three home runs and is second with nine RBI. He hit a game-winning grand slam off Toronto closer Randy Myers Sunday.

Watkins made an early impression on McKeon with his work ethic and his defensive ability. He also had a good spring at the plate. He was hitting .353 with six stolen bases entering Wednesday.

Jackson did not dazzle this spring - he's hitting .200 and has five errors - but he can spell Pokey Reese at shortstop, as well as play second and third.

Baseball America named him the best baserunner, the fastest baserunner, the best defensive shortstop and the most exciting player in the American Association last year.

''He gives us a lot more flexibility,'' McKeon said.

Boone and Watkins are 25 and Jackson is 24, so they fit the Reds' youth movement.

''They're all good kids who work hard,'' Bowden said. ''They have the attitude and the talent to be solid major league players. It's exciting because we're going younger, and we wanted to try to develop them together.''

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