The Reds have made a couple moves to improve their depth, finalizing a one-year, $2.5 million US contract with outfielder Ryan Ludwick and a minor league deal with Canadian left-handed starter Jeff Francis.

The 31-year-old Francis has struggled since he missed the 2009 season because of shoulder surgery. Last season, the Vancouver native was 6-16 for Kansas City with a 4.82 earned-run average in 31 starts.

Ludwick, 33, gets $2 million this year, and Wednesday's deal includes a $5 million mutual option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.

He can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $50,000 each for 250, 300 and 350, $100,000 apiece for 400 and 450, and $150,000 for 500.

Cincinnati also designated right-handed reliever Carlos Fisher for assignment. The Reds have 10 days to trade him, place him on release waivers or send him outright to the minors.