Live from Louisville Slugger Field

LOUISVILLE - With John covering the Reds in D.C. and Triple-A Louisville at home against Charlotte, I decided to swing by Louisville Slugger Field today to catch up with a few folks.

Louisville manager Rick Sweet on relievers Bill Bray and Gary Majewski: "I think (Bray) and Gary Majewski are ready to go back to the big leagues. Whenever (the Reds) deem it necessary and are ready, they are the guys that are the most ready to go back."

As John already pointed out today, Phil Dumatrait was scratched from his scheduled start tonight, but threw a side session in the bullpen. He is not listed on the upcoming probables for Louisville. Johnny Cueto is scheduled to start for the Bats tomorrow followed by Jason Kershner and Steve Kelly on Thursday and Tom Shearn on Friday.

Sweet kinda smiled when I asked about Dumatrait.

"He's throwing a side right now."

The Reds need a starter Thursday and Saturday.

"Today is Tuesday," he said. "Tomorrow is Wednesday."

Newly-acquired infielder Jorge Cantu is thrilled with being traded from Tampa Bay to the Reds. He started at second base tonight, but has played first base and could see some time at third base and left field.

"They want to move me all around the infield. That's for sure. I have no problem doing that. The main thing right now is to get more at-bats because I only have a little over 100 this year. That includes when I was up with Tampa and played every two weeks....I talked with the (Reds) general manager, Mr. Krivsky, and he told me that they wanted me to do that, get more at-bats, get me going and then evaluate me in two or three weeks."

Joey Votto is anxious to get The Call: "I’d like to get to the big leagues. Beyond that, I’m trying to make little improvements and refine my game and prepare myself for the big leagues.

"You know what? I think I made major strides with my defense last year and became a better hitter last year. I don’t feel like I’ve made huge strides in any department. I’m just trying to refine my game, get it as close to big league ready as possible.

Best line before the game goes to catcher Ryan Hanigan, who saw me interviewing Jay Bruce in the clubhouse. We later crossed paths in the dugout. Hanigan stopped and said of Bruce, the 12th overall pick in the 2005 draft: "Twenty. Twenty. He's going to be a good one."

UPDATE: The Bats lead 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Reds reliever Eddie Guardado is warming up in the bullpen. The left-hander, who is nearly 11 months removed from "Tommy John" elbow surgery, is scheduled to throw one inning.

Guardado also pitched Monday, and said going back-to-back would be a key test in trying to get back to the majors.

Guardado faces Charlotte DH Kenny Kelly (fly ball out), catcher Ryan Smith (strikeout looking) and center fielder Jason Bourgeois. With two outs, Bourgeois took an 85 mph fastball on a full count over the left field wall that ties the game at two.

Right fielder Kenny Perez walks on a full count and that's it for Guardado, who threw 11 of 21 pitches for strikes. The stadium speed gun had Guardado's fastball consistently around 86 mph with a high of 87 mph.