By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Guillen

Boone

ST. LOUIS - And now for the daily Reds suspension update:

• Paul Wilson has decided not to appeal his five-game suspension for his part in the June 19 brawl with the Chicago Cubs.

• Jose Guillen was suspended two games for bumping umpire Matt Hollowell Wednesday night. He's appealing, thus was allowed to play Thursday.

"I didn't bump the guy," Guillen said. "I didn't come that close."

Replays indicate Guillen did make contact with Hollowell.

"They touched," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "He kind of turned into him."

Guillen said Hollowell aggravated the situation. "He said to me, 'Now, you going to bump me,' " Guillen said.

Guillen was angry about a check-swing call on his first strike.

"Then you argue and they call the next pitch a strike no matter where it is," he said.

As for Wilson, Monday's off day means his suspension will only push back his next start from Tuesday to Wednesday.

"That was a factor," he said. "I'm going to go ahead and do it now."

ROTATION TURNS: Danny Graves will start today in the series opener against the Indians in Cleveland. Ryan Dempster will start Saturday's game. There was some question because both had been used in the bullpen.

"Because Ryan threw last night," Graves said, "they're going to flip-flop us. It doesn't matter to me."

BOONE'S TAKE: Boone is getting tired of Adam Dunn and Guillen popping off every time they're not in the lineup.

"It becomes a character issue," Boone said. "I could care less if they pout to (the media). The bottom line is I'm trying to put the team that I think has the best chance of winning out there."

So Thursday, Austin Kearns was on the bench. Kearns entered Thursday with only two hits in last 26 at-bats, dropping his average to .276.

"He hasn't been swinging good for a while," Boone said.

Kearns is also dealing with a sore right shoulder. Boone said the status of the outfielders has not changed.

"I still see Dunn, Kearns and (Ken) Griffey as the starters, and Guillen as the fourth outfielder who is going to play a lot," Boone said.

Boone does not discuss his decision on the odd-man out on a daily basis.

"I address it with that blue thing," Boone said, pointing to the lineup card. "What am I going to do? Pet them? It's a manly game."

RIEDLING QUESTION: Boone said John Riedling will likely pitch for the Reds today, rather than make a rehab appearance in the minors.

Riedling will be activated from the disabled list today. He's been on the DL since June 13 with tendinitis in his right elbow.

"Do we want him to do a quick rehab? Or do we put him in the bullpen to get him ready to start?" Boone said. "Or do we put him in the bullpen and leave him there? Those are all things we have to work between (Thursday and today)."

FARM REPORT: Brandon Larson and Emil Brown were selected to represent Louisville in the Triple-A All-Star Classic July 16 in Memphis.

Brown is hitting .285 with 10 home runs, while Larson is hitting .343 with 11 HR.