CINCINNATI -- Trying to add another bat, the Cincinnati Reds promoted infielder-outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. on Monday and designated infielder Juan Castro for assignment.
In 14 games for Triple-A Louisville, Hairston batted .421 with three home runs and 15 RBIs.
"He's been playing great," said Reds manager Dusty Baker, Hairston's manager with the Chicago Cubs in 2005 and 2006. "As much as I like Juan, we felt Hairston might be a better fit. He can play anywhere. It gives me a number of options now."
The Reds signed Hairston, a 10-year veteran who's been plagued by back problems for the last two years, to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training as a non-roster player. He was reassigned to Cincinnati's minor league camp on March 29.
"I got a chance to play and play healthy," Hairston said. "The most important thing was to go down and make sure my back was OK. It feels great."
At Louisville, Hairston played shortstop, third base, second base, center and right fields.
The Reds also activated right-hander Matt Belisle from the disabled list. He was scheduled to start Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Cincinnati put right-handed reliever David Weathers on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a nerve irritation in his elbow.