Reds sign Burke to Minor League deal

Although the Reds may not have made any major moves during the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, they did sign Chris Burke to a Minor League deal, general manager Walt Jocketty said last week. Burke, who is a former first-round pick by the Astros in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, played in 32 games for the Padres in 2009 and also played in the Mariners' and Braves' Triple-A affiliates. In 83 Minor League games, the right-handed hitter .279 with four homers and 15 stolen bases.

In six seasons in the Majors, he has also played center field, shortstop, right field, first base and third base in his mlb jersey. "I think we see him as a potential candidate for the utility role on the Major League club, and if nothing else, he'll play at Triple-A Louisville," Jocketty said. "He's from Louisville, it's his hometown, and he's very excited about the possibility to play for either club. He's an experienced guy that might be able to help us."

Mets ink Dessens to Minors deal

The Associated Press reported that reliever Elmer Dessens will remain with the Mets since the right-hander agreed to a Minor League contract last week. This contract will pay him $700,000 if he is in the Majors and $90,000 if he is in the Minors3. He can also earn $150,000 in bonuses.

The veteran made 28 relief appearances with the Mets last season, posting a 3.31 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings in his mets jersey. In his career, Dessens has played with the Pirates, Reds, D-backs, Dodgers, Royals, Brewers, Rockies, Braves and Mets.

Pitcher Marmolejo is suspended

Next year Reds Minor League pitcher Jose Marmolejo will serve a suspension after Major League Baseball disciplined him due to the use and possession of a prohibited performance-enhancing substance. It actually occurred over the summer but was under review at the end of the season. The Reds club suspended Marmolejo from their Dominican Summer League team in August for the final 10 games of this year during the check. Then MLB handed down a 50-game suspension and considered the team's suspension as part of the time served. As a result, Marmolejo will at least miss the first 40 games in the next season.

Marmolejo made thirteent appearances in the DSL, getting 17 earned runs on 28 hits over 19 2/3 innings. Thus we will not see him playing in his reds jersey for a while.