By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Reds signed two players to minor-league contracts Friday, but both could be in their major-league plans.

The Reds signed outfielder Reggie Taylor and left-hander Mike Matthews.

Taylor, of course, was with the club last year. He hit .217 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 100 games before shoulder injury ended his season in late August.

The Reds did not offer Taylor a contract in December, making him a free agent.

Because Taylor, 27, is a good center fielder, he has a shot at making the club.

Matthews, 30, spent last year with the San Diego Padres. He went 6-4 with a 4.45 ERA in a career-high 77 appearances. The Reds were looking to add a left-hander to the bullpen.

Matthews also has pitched for St. Louis and Milwaukee.

The signing of Matthews means the Reds won't sign Scott Sauerbeck, the lefty from Northwest High and Miami University. Sauerbeck and the club had been talking.

"It's not going to happen," Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said. "I'm not going to get into the reasons why."

Matthews and Taylor were invited to big-league camp. That pushed the Reds' spring training roster to 56, including 18 non-roster invitees.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Sarasota, Fla., Feb. 17, position players Feb. 23.