Pitcher Seth Etherton, a 27-year-old right-hander, cleared waivers, rejected an outright assignment to the minor leagues and thus became a free agent.
Etherton came to the Reds in a trade from the Anaheim Angels in December 2000. But shoulder injuries kept him from pitching with the club until this season.
He was 2-4 with a 6.90 ERA in seven starts. He was 7-7 with a 4.31 ERA in 21 starts at Triple-A Louisville.
