Surprise, Ariz. ? The suspension of Kansas City Royals catcher Miguel Olivo was reduced from five to four games Thursday. The team was awaiting word from the commissioner’s office on whether outfielder Jose Guillen’s 15-day suspension will be eliminated.

Olivo had been suspended for the start of this season because of a fight with the New York Mets during the final weekend of last season while he was with the Florida Marlins.

Rookie Matt Tupman will back up starting catcher John Buck for the first four games, with Olivo returning to the active roster April 5 at Minnesota. The Royals will open the season short-handed, playing with a 24-man roster until Olivo returns.

An agreement between players and owners could be reached that would eliminate the suspensions of Guillen and Baltimore’s Jay Gibbons. They were penalized in December following reports linking them to performance-enhancing drugs.

“If in fact that’s the case, that solidifies another piece of our roster,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. The Royals signed Guillen to a three-year $36 million contract in December. He hit .290 with 23 home runs and 99 RBIs last season for Seattle.