Saturday's starter? We'll see

WASHINGTON - Phil Dumatrait will start for the Reds tonight in the finale of the three-game series with the Nationals.

As for Saturday's starter in Pittsburgh? Well, that information is securely tucked away somewhere in general manager Wayne Krivsky's cone of silence.

"Tomorrow we'll know a little more than right now," Reds interim manager Pete Mackanin said before Wednesday's game.

The Reds optioned pitcher Elizardo Ramirez to Class AAA Louisville after Wednesday's game to make room for Dumatrait on the roster.

Mackanin said on Tuesday he was hopeful that ace Aaron Harang would be ready to go after leaving Saturday's game with a strained lower back.

If Harang is not ready, Victor Santos or a Class AAA pitcher could get the call. Ramirez, called up on Tuesday to fill the traded Kyle Lohse's roster spot, pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Reds in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Nationals and was optioned to Louisville after the game.

Richie Gardner is scheduled to pitch Saturday for the Bats, but with a 3-4 record and 5.90 ERA at Class AAA, he would seem an unlikely call-up. Tom Shearn (5-9, 4.36) is slated to start today for the Bats.

Dumatrait was expected to arrive in Washington on Wednesday. He had not arrived before the start of the game.

It will be the major league debut for Dumatrait, who was the first-round pick of the Red Sox in the 2000 first-year player draft. The Reds acquired him in a trade with the Red Sox in exchange for right-hander Scott Williamson at the trading deadline in 2003. Dumatrait was scheduled to pitch for the Bats on Tuesday but was scratched before the game so he could start for the Reds today.

He last pitched a week ago at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and earned the victory, going five innings, allowing two hits and a run. This season he is 10-5 with a 3.49 ERA for Louisville and earned a trip to the Triple-A All-Star Game. He was 2-0 with a 2.96 ERA in four starts in July.

20/20 - Brandon Phillips became the first Reds second baseman since Joe Morgan in 1977 to have 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season. Phillips has 20 home runs and stole his 20th and 21st base on one play in the fourth inning.

With the Nationals shifted toward the right side of the field against Reds slugger Adam Dunn, Phillips stole second, saw nobody covering third and continued to third. It was ruled two stolen bases by the official scorer. Phillips said he'd been looking for that opportunity all year and it could give defenses who put the shift on the defense Dunn something else to think about.

GONZALEZ TODAY? - Today could be the day that shortstop Alex Gonzalez returns to the Reds' lineup, or so Mackanin hopes.

Jeff Keppinger started at shortstop again for the Reds on Wednesday. Gonzalez was reinstated from the restricted list before Tuesday's game, but hasn't played since July 13.

"I gave (Gonzalez) the opportunity of letting me know when he felt comfortable," Mackanin said. "He probably hasn't been running as much as he should have. I was hoping to play him today, but didn't get a definitive answer from him. I hope to play him (tonight), I'm anxious to get him back in there and get going."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - In the clubhouse there were two Rice Krispies Treats with plastic knives stuck in them. Taped to the knives were pieces of paper, one with a 5 and the other with a 6. Not the nicest of birthday cakes, but it's the thought that counts.

Wednesday was Mackanin's 56th birthday.

"I'm almost 50 - 56," Mackanin explained, before he got out a piece of paper and a pen to explain it. "If you have a line from 1 to 1,000 and there's 50 right there. If 56 is here, it's almost 50."

GUARDADO UPDATE - Left-hander Eddie Guardado gave up a home run on Tuesday for Class AAA Louisville, but Mackanin said the reports from Louisville were good.

"I heard he threw well and looked good," Mackanin said. "I'll probably hear something today and we'll know more. Knowing Eddie, he'll say he's ready."

Guardado pitched back-to-back days on Monday and Tuesday. He is scheduled to pitch again Friday and Sunday and then evaluate his progress.