According to Trent:

The Reds signed LHP Kent Mercker to a minor league contract with a spring training invite.

Mercker sat out last season after elbow surgery. Mercker, a native of Dublin, Ohio, appeared in 37 games for the Reds in 2006.

Mercker was also mentioned in the Mitchell Report. In the report, former Mets employee Kirk Radomski told investigators that he sold one kit of human growth hormone to Mercker for $1,600. A copy of a check or $1,600 from Mercker to Radomski was included in the report.

Fellow left-handed reliever Mike Stanton was also named in the Mitchell Report.