Reds sign SF LHP Clayton Tanner

to a minor league deal and sent him to Louisville. Tanner (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) was on the 40-man roster and was designated for assignment before being released. That Cincinnati signed Tanner apparently surprised San Francisco's front office. Brian Sabean was quoted by the San Jose Mercury News as saying Clayton's release "was a paper move" and the team expected to re-sign him. Giants fans on various boards were mildly upset with the loss of the youngster.

A third-round pick from the 2006 draft, Tanner, 23, pitched this season with the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels where he was 6-10 with a 4.29 ERA in 22 games, all starts. Tanner allowed 120 hits in as many innings, struck out 90 and walked 35. He uncorked 10 wild pitches and hit 10 batters, uncharacteristic for his career. This was Tanner's second stint in AA.

For his career, the Australian-born, California-raised southpaw is 51-43 with a 3.66 ERA. He has allowed 9 hits, struck out 6.6 and walked 3 per nine innings pitched. Tanner throws 86-88 mph, but has better than average movement. He is adept at holding runners and getting groundballs.