CINCINNATI -- Reds reliever Jared Hughes dropped the appeal of his three-game suspension Thursday and began serving his punishment as his team opened a four-game series vs. the Cubs. That means Cincinnati will have to play with 24 players rather than 25 on its roster.

During the ninth inning of an 11-4 loss to the Pirates on July 30, Hughes was ejected for the first time in his professional career for plunking Starling Marte with a pitch after bench warnings had already been issued. Later in the inning, the feud between the clubs turned ugly when the next reliever, lefty Amir Garrett, charged the Pittsburgh dugout and sparked a benches-clearing brawl.

“We felt like we needed to get this behind us, and today is the day to begin that,” Hughes said about his reason for dropping the appeal.

Garrett’s appeal of an eight-game suspension is still ongoing, with no known date for when it might be resolved.

“I don’t have any information on that,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We’ll miss Jared. We’ll play at 24 while he’s out. We’re doing everything we can to plan and prepare and be as prepared for that as we can being one short.”

Hughes is 3-4 with a 4.36 ERA in 45 appearances this season.

As Hughes began his suspension, Bell’s six-game suspension for his actions in the melee just ended. He was back on the bench Thursday night after his club went 4-2 under acting manager Freddie Benavides. While the team was in Atlanta for a four-game series, Bell was challenged to find a place to watch the game after he was recognized in the seating area by fans.

For the last two home games, Bell watched in a suite directly behind home plate.

“Really, up until game time and after the game, it’s no different. I’m still able to communicate with the players and be a part of the team,” Bell said. “One of my favorite parts of the job is being in the game, that’s what it’s all about. I’ve been missing that part of it. You get a little bit of a different perspective watching. At the same time, I didn’t feel like I needed that [perspective]. I tried to make the most of it. But I’m back to where I’m supposed to be. The suspension is over. I served that. It happened for a reason. I’m just ready to be back.”

Hughes planned no attempt to watch his missed games from the seats at Great American Ball Park.

“If I walk around the crowd, I’m 6-7, people would probably be looking for me. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ll probably go home and watch with my kids,” Hughes said. “It’s the best of a bad situation. When the suspension is over, I’ll come back and be ready to go, ready to get after it.”

Casali to begin a rehab assignment

Reds catcher Curt Casali, who has been on the 10-day injured list since July 18 with a right knee sprain, will meet Triple-A Louisville in Rochester on Friday and begin a rehab assignment.

“It will be really nice to get him back. He was playing well,” Bell said. “Maybe by next week, he’ll be here.”

Casali is batting .253/.337/.420 with six home runs and 24 RBIs in 62 games. He opened the season as Tucker Barnhart’s backup, but outplayed him and earned shared duties of the regular spot. When Barnhart went on the IL on June 28, Casali was the main catcher until he was also injured.

It’s expected that Casali will play at least three games for Louisville.

“Mainly, it’s to be able to get down in the squat and see how that will feel. There will be some trial and error to figure out how to deal with it the rest of the year,” Casali said. “Drills were good, but for the rest of the year it’s going to be more of a nuisance than anything. Fortunately, I have a lot of experience with playing through pain. It will just be another one of those.”

Casali said his knee would not need a repair via surgery after the season.

“It’s one of those injuries that takes rest,” he said. “Right now, it’s not an option. You have to do what you have to do.”

Worth noting

The Reds announced Thursday that Louisville shortstop Blake Trahan cleared waivers and was sent outright to that team’s roster. Trahan was designated for assignment on Monday, when the Reds claimed pitcher Kevin Gausman off waivers from the Braves.