Reds trade SS Keppinger to Astros

[April 01, 2009]  SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- The Cincinnati Reds have traded Jeff Keppinger to the Houston Astros for a player to be named, getting rid of a reserve shortstop who didn't play very well in spring training.

Keppinger bailed the Reds out last season, when starting shortstop Alex Gonzalez was sidelined by a fractured knee. Keppinger started 101 games at shortstop, batting .266 with three homers and 43 RBIs.

Gonzalez is back from the injury, and Keppinger batted only .140 in 21 games this spring.

The Reds also reassigned left-hander Pedro Viola to their minor league camp on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Josh Roenicke to Triple-A Louisville, leaving them with 30 players in camp.

[Associated Press]

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