Whether Gookie Dawkins starts the season with the Reds or in Triple-A will greatly depend on the health of fellow shortstop Barry Larkin.

        “The way Barry is able to play in these last, four, five games will have a lot to do with it,” assistant general manager Doc Rogers said. “Really, that's it. How ready are we for Barry to go on Opening Day and in the first month. That will probably be the bottom line.”

        The Reds open April 1 against the Chicago Cubs.

        Larkin played in only 45 games last season because of injuries. He is still recovering from sports hernia surgery, and recently missed seven games due to inflammation from the scar tissue surrounding his surgically-inserted mesh in his abdomen.

        "It doesn't matter,” Dawkins said of where he could play this season. “Wherever they want me.”

        Rogers said he'd rather Dawkins spend at least the start of the season in Triple-A. There, Dawkins would play on a regular basis.

        But Rogers said what might be best for the Reds is letting Dawkins relieve Larkin late in games. He would gain major league experience and learn from the veterans.

        “Those are the tough decisions about your young players,” Rogers said. “You want to develop the young players, put them in the big leagues and win baseball games. But you want to put them in a situation that maximizes their potential. And that's what we want to do.”

        “He can run. He can field. But the bat still needs some work. So do you put him back and let that develop in a year of Triple-A or do you say, "hey, you can help us win games on the Major League level?'”

        Dawkins is hitting .179 in spring training.

        Rogers said part of the decision will be whether the club decides to keep an extra pitcher or infielder. He also said if Larkin was completely healthy, Dawkins would definitely play in Triple-A.

        Larkin said Dawkins is capable of backing him up.

        “I think he will be the heir apparent, obviously,” he said. “But you hate to see a full-fledged shortstop become like a utility guy.”

        “His thing is going to be adjusting to the pitching.”

        Dawkins had arthroscopic surgery following the 2000 season. With his knee still bothering him, Dawkins hit .226 last season at Double-A.

        But he rebounded to hit .331 in 34 games in the 2001 Arizona Fall League.

        “I've been through so much,” Dawkins said. “Now I'm healthy, I'm feeling good, I've got confidence in myself at the plate and on defense.”

        Dawkins has never appeared in a Triple-A game, but he has been called up twice by the Reds from Double-A. He played in seven games in 1999 and 14 in 2000. Both times, he replaced an injured Larkin. Dawkins averaged .143 in 1999 and .220 in 2000.

        He also was the starting shortstop for Team USA in the 2000 Summer Olympics, and earned a gold medal.

        Dawkins said he'd rather play in Cincinnati and learn from Larkin, even though it will cut back his playing time. “He's one of the greatest in history,” Dawkins said of Larkin.

        But Dawkins is open to Triple-A.

        “The only thing I can do is play,” Dawkins said, “have fun and do the best I can do on the field.”

        “We're looking at the long term,” Rogers said. “We're not worried what he's doing tomorrow. We want him to be, three four five years from now, one of the best in the game. Because that's the kind of ability he has.”

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