Pitching coach Don Gullett, who was hospitalized in New York after suffering tightness in his chest, underwent tests Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic that found his heart to be “completely normal,” team physician Dr. Tim Kremchek said.

        Gullett, who had a heart attack in 1986 and underwent triple-bypass surgery in 1990, probably will rejoin the team Sunday or Monday.

        McKeon not only has forged a bond with Gullett, 49, but also relies heavily on his input.

        “It's been a little difficult,” said McKeon, describing how he has coped without Gullett. “He's a great guy. And he's such a big asset with the pitchers. But (bullpen coach) Tom Hume has filled in and done a great job.”

        BACK TO NORMAL: Elmer Dessens says he felt no ill effects from the dehydration that struck him Wednesday, and McKeon decided to keep the order of the starting rotation in tact and use the right-hander Tuesday against Atlanta, ensuring that he'd be fresh.

        “I was tempted to put Elmer in on Monday and let (Steve) Parris go on Tuesday,” McKeon said.

        Dessens, speaking through interpreter Dennys Reyes, recalled that he felt as if he was “sweating too much” while pitching against the New York Mets. He also said he felt a little weak after his seven-inning stint ended. “But I didn't think it was anything serious,” he said.

        Dessens, who briefly collapsed as he headed for the team bus, lost either 6 pounds (his version) or 8 (the medical staff's version) during his ordeal. He needed four to five bags of intravenous fluids before he could leave New York with assistant trainer Mark Mann.

        FIRST TIME OUT: Despite playing the game's most grueling position, catcher Eddie Taubensee has gone on the disabled list for the first time in his 15-year professional career.

        “I've had some minor surgeries on my knees and wrist, but I was always able to gut it out until the end of the year,” said Taubensee, who has a bulging disk in his lower back. “That was my attitude with my back, too. I had (pain) earlier in the year and it just kind of died down.”

        Taubensee, who received an epidural steroid injection Friday, will be re-evaluated in a couple of days to determine whether he needs another shot.

        ARMSTRONG'S BACK: Jack Armstrong, the former Red who started the 1990 All-Star Game, signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins and will report to Single-A Brevard County.

        Armstrong, 35, hasn't pitched in the majors since 1994, his last of seven seasons in which he posted a 40-65 record with a 4.58 ERA. A starter for Florida in its 1993 inaugural season, Armstrong got the itch to play again, went to the Marlins' minor-league complex and threw impressively for club officials.

        UP NEXT: Rob Bell (5-6), who began his second stint with the Reds with a win last Sunday at Montreal, will oppose A.J. Burnett (1-2) tonight. Bell pitched a career-high 7 2/3 innings in a 7-4 victory over the Expos, allowing eight hits and all of Montreal's runs.

Marlins 2, Reds 1 Box, runs Sexton finds his way to Cinergy Gullett's heart passes test

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