SARASOTA, Fla. — The Reds signed 35-year-old infielder Jeff Frye to a minor-league contract Saturday.

        Frye hit .246 in 76 games with Toronto last season. He had surgery on his right knee in the spring and struggled early.

        Frye hit .349 after June but lost playing time when the Blue Jays went to younger players.

        On Aug.17, he became only the second Blue Jay to hit for the cycle — single, double, triple and home run.

        DESSENS GOES 5:

        Elmer Dessens had a solid outing against the Phillies, allowing three hits and one run in five innings.

        “Elmer pitched pretty well,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.

        BOHANON A GO:

        Left-hander Brian Bohanon threw for the first time since elbow surgery March11. “It went well — extremely well,” he said. “No soreness at all.”

        Bohanon said he hopes to be ready by mid-April.

        LARUE SWOON:

        Catcher Jason LaRue continued his hitless streak. He was 0-for-3 against the Phillies and is hitless in his last 26 at-bats. Boone said he's not concerned. The catching position, he said, is a defensive position.

        MATEO MAKES GOOD:

        Ruben Mateo, one of the players competing for a roster spot, hit a home run in the eighth.

        SUBS' DAY:

        The Reds will take a team of backups to Winter Haven, Fla. today to meet Cleveland.

        Jose Acevedo, a member of the starting rotation, will be making his second-last start before the regular season.

        Reliever Hector Mercado also will make the trip.

        SLUMP:

        The Reds have lost three games in a row and and nine of their past 10. Their record is 7-17-1.

        SHORT HOPS:

        First baseman Sean Casey went 0-for-3 Saturday to end a four-game hitting streak in which he was 6-for-13. ... The three homers the Reds allowed Saturday brought to 24 the number they've given up the past 11 games.

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