The Reds have signed 41-year old righty reliever Russ Springer to a 1-year, $850,000 dollar deal. He pitched in 74 games (0 starts) for the A’s and Rays last season and he was 1-4 with 1 save, a 4.11 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Springer has now pitched in 738 games (27 starts) in his 17 years in the majors and he is 36-45 with 9 saves, a 4.52 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. This was a nice low risk signing for the Reds who really need help in the pen from the right side.

The Reds are 49-41 on the season which has them in first place in the N.L. Central, 1 game ahead of the Cardinals. The Reds have had a lot of surprises and a couple disappointments this year and here’s a closer look at them:

Pleasant Surprises: 35-year old Scott Rolen’s power has finally appeared to come all of the way back. He has played in 79 games for the Reds this year and he is 82 of 283 (.290 avg, .909 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 17 homers and 57 RBIs. 29-year old Jonny Gomes has pretty much pushed himself into a full time starting job in the outfield. He has played in 83 games for the Reds this year and he is 77 of 278 (.277 avg, .801 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 11 homers and 60 RBIs. 22-year old righty starting pitcher Mike Leake decided he didn’t need any stinking time in the minors. He made his professional baseball debut with the Cincinnati Reds this year. He has started 17 games for the Reds this year and he is 6-1 with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. 40-year old lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes made his first All-Star Game at the age of 40. He earned it by pitching in 41 games (0 starts) in the first half of the season for the Reds and he is 3-3 with a 1.54 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP.

Disappointments: 34-year old catcher Ramon Hernandez was brought back over the winter to provide some power for the Reds. He has played in 57 games for the Reds this year and he is 52 of 181 (.287 avg, .768 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 3 homers and 23 RBIs. 32-year old righty starting pitcher Aaron Harang continues his recent slide of the last couple of years. Harang has started 17 games for the Reds this year and he is 6-7 with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. 28-year old righty reliever Nick Masset was outstanding in 2009 for the Reds but not so much in 2010. Masset has pitched in 45 games (0 starts) for the Reds this season and he is 3-3 with 1 save, a 5.26 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.

The Reds have placed starting catcher Ramon Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list with a sore knee. Hernandez has played in 57 games for the Reds this season and he is 52 of 181 (.287 avg, .768 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 3 homers and 23 RBIs. Lucky for the Reds that Ryan Hanigan was ready to come off the D.L. Hanigan has played in 27 games for the Reds this season and he is 27 of 77 (.351 avg, .975 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers and 17 RBIs. The Reds are lucky Hanigan was ready to go so that they didn’t have to start Corky Miller.

The Reds are 48-36 on the season which has them in first place in the N.L. Central, 2 games ahead of the Cardinals. The Reds really only have one weakness and they need to fix it this month. They will likely be on the hunt for righty relief pitchers. Jason Frasor, Kyle Farnsworth, Kerry Wood, Brad Ziegler, Michael Wuertz, David Aardsma, Brian Sanches, Carlos Villanueva, Brandon Lyon, Octavio Dotel, D.J. Carrasco and Chad Qualls. The Reds will have a good chance to hold off the Cardinals if they can get their hands on two of the pitchers named above.

The Reds have placed 32-year old righty starting pitcher Aaron Harang on the 15-day disabled list with lower back spasms. Harang has started 17 games for the Reds this year and he is 6-7 with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. The Reds have called up 26-year old lefty starter Matt Maloney to start tonight’s game and replace Harang in the rotation. Maloney has started 15 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 6-5 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. I look for Maloney to do a solid job for the Reds.