Reds News: Mike Ford refuses assignment, Brett Kennedy outrighted, Alfredo Duno on IL

The Cincinnati Reds welcomed TJ Friedl back to the active roster earlier this week. Friedl made a quick recovery after suffering a broken thumb during the Reds' West Coast road trip. After barely two weeks on the IL, Friedl was back with the team and sitting atop David Bell's lineup card as the Reds leadoff hitter this past Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rather than prolong the agony any further, in order to activate Friedl off the IL, Cincinnati designated Mike Ford for assignment. The spring training standout had previously signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Reds.

Reds News: Mike Ford refuses ouright assignment

After being DFA'd earlier this week, Ford has refused the outright assignment to Triple-A and elected free agency instead. This is hardly surprising, and probably in the best interest of all parties. Ford was ineffective during his time with the Reds.

In the handful of games that Ford played, manager David Bell slotted the former New York Yankees farmhand in the No. 3 and No. 4 hole. Ford was a meager 9-for-60 with a .411 OPS and two extra-base hits.

Reds News: Brett Kennedy outrighted to Triple-A Louisville Bats

Brett Kennedy made his grand return to the Reds 40-man roster earlier this month and appeared in exactly zero games. A temporary replacement for injured reliever Emilio Pagán, Kennedy's contract was selected several days ago, but the right-hander was designated for assignment once Alex Young returned from the 60-day IL.

Unlike the aforementioned Mike Ford, Kennedy accepted his outright assignment and will be rejoin the Louisville Bats starting rotation. In the minor leagues this season, Kennedy is 1-5 with a 6.86 ERA.

Reds News: Alfredo Duno lands on IL at Low-A Daytona Tortugas

According to the Reds minor-league transaction log, catcher Alfredo Duno has been placed on the seven-day IL. Duno, the Reds' top catching prospect who's been playing at Low-A Daytona this season, has hit .267/.367/.422 in his first action states-side as a professional.

Duno was lifted for pinch hitter Yassel Pino during the bottom of the sixth inning during the Daytona Tortugas game on May 24th against the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels and has not been back on the field since. Currently, there is no injury designation.

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