Reds Add Kearns and Freel to the Roster

Outfielder Austin Kearns was called up from triple-A Louisville, and utility player Ryan Freel was activated from the disabled list Wednesday, bringing the Cincinnati Reds back to full strength.

The Reds also lost two players who were claimed off waivers -- infielder Anderson Machado to Colorado and outfielder Kenny Kelly to Washington.

Kearns was optioned to Louisville on June 12, when he was overweight and hitting .224. He lost weight and hit .342 with seven home runs and 21 runs batted in in 28 games at Louisville.

Freel was put on the disabled list June 25 because of swelling in a toe on his left foot. He played five games in a medical rehabilitation stint at double-A Chattanooga.

Freel is hitting .287 for the Reds and leads the team with 21 steals.

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Infielder Wil Cordero was designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals.

Cordero, 33, was batting .118 with two RBIs in 29 games with the Nationals. He went 0 for 14 as a pinch-hitter and 0 for 18 with runners in scoring position.

Washington has 10 days to trade him or release him.

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The New York Yankees optioned left-hander Wayne Franklin to their triple-A farm team and purchased the contract of left-hander Alex Graman.... The Boston Red Sox activated infielder Tony Graffanino and optioned third baseman Kevin Youkilis to triple-A Pawtucket.