The Reds re-signed pitchers Jose Rijo and Joey Hamilton to minor-league contracts Monday and avoided arbitration by signing a third right-hander, Elmer Dessens, to a one-year deal. But they are running out of time on pitcher Pete Harnisch.

        Rijo, Hamilton and Harnisch had until midnight tonight to sign with Cincinnati or be ineligible to return to the Reds until May 1.

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden said the Reds spoke with Harnisch's agent over the weekend. The Reds have offered $500,000 in base salary plus $1.5 million in incentives. Because of the team's budget situation, the Reds likely will not raise the offer.

        The Reds also signed pitcher Chris Booker and outfielder Robin Jennings to one-year contracts.

        Given the state of Reds pitching, Hamilton and Rijo have good shots at making the roster.

        Rijo, 36, came back last season after six years out of the major leagues. He was 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 13 relief appearances.

        The Reds signed Hamilton, 31, on Aug.17, two weeks after Toronto released him. He was 5-8 with a 5.89 ERA with Toronto, 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four starts with the Reds.

        Bowden had not been optimistic Friday about signing Rijo or Hamilton. But the free-agent market has been slow. Rijo was only considering the Reds. Hamilton also had an offer from San Francisco.

        The Reds still have five players arbitration-eligible: third baseman Aaron Boone, first baseman Sean Casey, outfielder Juan Encarnacion and right-handers Danny Graves and Scott William son.

        Dessens, 29, went 10-14 with a 4.48 ERA last year in 34 starts and 205 innings. He was the first Red to throw 200 innings since Brett Tomko in 1998.

        Jennings, 29, hit .286 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 27 games for the Reds. He came from Colorado with Todd Walker in the Alex Ochoa trade.

        Booker, 25, throws in the mid-90-mph range. He was 2-0 with a 3.94 ERA and a save in 18 games with Double-A Chattanooga.

Reds sign Rijo, Hamilton Web site tracks ballpark

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