Deion Sanders' baseball career may be over.

        The Reds announced Thursday that Sanders, who has not played in the major leagues since 1997, was returning to his home in Dallas to continue rehabilitation on his right knee.

        Sanders had been on a rehab assignment with Triple A Louisville. He was hitting just .200 with three home runs, seven RBI and 10 stolen bases.

        “Where he's at baseball-wise, in my opinion, he cannot help our 25-man roster,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “He has worked diligently, but he's not 100 percent.”

        Bowden said Sanders is “95 to 98 percent” healthy.

        “But when you're not 100 percent, it affects your hitting,” Bowden said. “You don't have the sound base.”

        Sanders played 25 games at Louisville.

        “He wasn't making progress,” Bowden said. “We want him to try to get to 100 percent before he resumes baseball activity.”

        When will that be?

        “We'll let you know when he's ready,” Bowden said.

        There is, of course, a time factor with Sanders regarding baseball. He also is an eight-time Pro Bowl football cornerback, late of the Dallas Cowboys and now a free agent. Whatever football team he signs with would probably want him to come to camp at the end of July.

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