Jeff Francis was a spring NRI for the Reds, and has been toiling in Louisville all year. Toiling fairly successfully, however, at least if you avoid the W-L record: 3-6 with a 3.72 ERA and 65 strikeouts to 18 walks in 77 innings. He threw a shutout yesterday. But now he’s just out, as the Reds released him.
It was at his request, however, as he had an opt-out provision dated June 1. Given that there isn’t any room in the rotation for him in Cincinnati, and given that he just finished on a high note, one can’t blame him. And you have to figure he’ll latch on someplace.