By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jose Guillen could learn as early as today whether his two-game suspension for making contact with an umpire on June 25 will be reduced.

In a meeting that lasted 30-35 minutes Wednesday afternoon, the Reds outfielder had his appeal heard by MLB vice president for on-field operations Bob Watson and MLB chief executive officer Bob DuPuy.

Representatives from the player's union and umpires association also were present.

"They haven't told me," Guillen said. "I went there and we talked about it. They just told me, 'go get 'em tonight.' "

Guillen maintains that umpire Matt Hollowell turned into him as he argued a called strike.

"They saw the tape, they saw everything," Guillen said. "I think that's one of the reasons why they didn't tell if I was suspended (Wednesday) or (Thursday)."

ONE WEEK AND COUNTING: While the Reds have remained relatively quiet in the days leading up to the July 31 trading deadline, the Pirates have been baseball's busiest.

As part of a considerable salary dump, Pittsburgh certainly helped the Cubs by trading third baseman Aramis Ramirez and outfielder Kenny Lofton to Chicago late Tuesday.

"It certainly strengthens the Cubs," Reds manager Bob Boone said. "It got them a lot of things that they needed."

LOOKING FOR TIME: Entering Wednesday's game, third baseman Brandon Larson had appeared in four games since he was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on July 17.

Each appearance was as a pinch hitter, where he was 0-for-4 through Tuesday.

"He certainly did a great job in Louisville," Boone said. "Now he's got to sit and come off the bench. He's not used to it. It's just hard. For the time being, that's what he has got to do."

Larson, who's been taking fly balls in the outfield, batted .324 with 17 homers and 65 RBI in 63 games at Louisville.

INJURY REPORT: Outfielder Austin Kearns (inflamed right rotator cuff) is eligible to come off the disabled list today, but isn't ready.

He experienced some soreness after taking batting practice and throwing Tuesday.

But he said it felt like it's getting better.

Reliever Gabe White (strained left groin) will throw in the bullpen today.

"He'll turn up the intensity a little bit," Boone said.

White, who has been on the disabled list since June 25, could make a rehabilitation appearance either Sunday or Monday with Louisville.

Both Kearns and White were held out of any baseball activity Wednesday.

UP NEXT: Reds right-hander Jimmy Haynes (2-10, 5.86) will start opposite Pirates righty Jeff D'Amico (6-10, 3.80) in the second and final game of this series at 12:35 p.m. today.