Football
Associated Press 17y

Ligtenberg and Meadows released by Reds

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Pitchers Kerry Ligtenberg and Brian
Meadows were released Friday by the Cincinnati Reds.

Both had signed minor league deals and had no interest in
pitching anywhere but the big leagues, general manager Wayne
Krivsky said.

"We felt there were people ahead of them and we wanted to
release them sooner rather than later so they have a chance to sign
with someone," he said.

The 35-year-old Ligtenberg hasn't pitched in the majors since
2005, when he appeared in seven games for Arizona. He had 18 saves
and a 3.57 ERA in 53 appearances for the Cubs' Triple-A team in
Iowa last year.

The 31-year-old Meadows appeared in 53 games for Tampa Bay last
season, going 3-6 with eight saves and a 5.17 ERA. He gave up 14
homers in 69 2-3 innings.

Cincinnati also reassigned top pitching prospect Homer Bailey to
its minor league camp.

"I'll go wherever they want me to go and work on whatever they
want me to work on," said Bailey, Cincinnati's first pick in the
2004 amateur draft. "I just want to show them what I can do."

Bailey pitched just 3 2-3 innings this spring training, allowing
eight runs and six hits.

"He had a couple rough outings where he didn't have his
command, but we're not down on him at all," manager Jerry Narron
said. "It was good for him to get the experience and I think he
knows that."

Bailey, selected seventh overall in the 2004 draft, was 7-1 with
a 1.59 ERA at Double-A Chatanooga last year.

Cincinnati optioned first baseman Joey Votto to Triple-A
Louisville and reassigned catcher Ryan Hanigan, left-hander Michael
Gosling and catcher Dan Conway to minor league camp.

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