Mills elected to become a free agent Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills made only one appearance in the majors this season and struggled to a 6.58 ERA and 16:16 K:BB across 26 innings with the Triple-A affiliate of the Reds in Louisville. The 31-year-old right-hander holds a career 5.00 big-league ERA.

Mills was outrighted Tuesday to Triple-A Louisville, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment by the Reds on Sunday. He is off the 40-man roster but will remain part of the organization for now.

The Reds designated Mills for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Mills will move off both the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster after he was roughed up Saturday in his Reds debut. While working in long relief during the Reds' 12-5 loss to the Padres, Mills recorded three outs and allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk. The Reds recalled outfielder Stuart Fairchild from Triple-A Louisville to replace Mills on the active roster.

Mills allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk over one inning in Saturday's 12-5 loss to the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Mills made his Cincinnati debut after his contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville last Tuesday. A one-time starter and long reliever, most recently with the Cubs, Mills was brought in as a reliever with potential to be a spot starter for a staff that currently has four healthy arms. He needed 40 pitches Saturday, which may preclude him from being used as a traditional starter for Tuesday's game in Washington, the next time the Reds need a fifth starter.

The Reds selected Mills' contract from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Mills signed a minor-league deal with Cincinnati in May and will now be called upon to provide depth to the Reds' heavily-injured pitching staff. The 31-year-old righty has made two appearances in Triple-A, allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out just one batter through six innings. Though Mills will likely work out of the bullpen initially, the Reds recently optioned Levi Stoudt to Triple-A and could have an opening in the rotation the next time the club requires a fifth starter July 4 in Washington.

Mills signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Reds, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The organization's MLB-ready pitching depth has been ravaged by injuries, so Mills will get a look with an assignment first to Triple-A Louisville. He struggled to attract interest over the winter after struggling to a 9.68 ERA in 17.2 major-league innings (two starts, five relief appearances) last season with the Cubs.

Mills (back) became a free agent Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills finished 2022 on the Cubs' 60-day injured list and was removed from the 40-man roster Thursday. He underwent surgery to remove part of a disc in his back September and was limited to seven major-league appearances.

Mills (back) was activated from the 60-day injured list, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills covered only 17.2 innings last season as he dealt with back and quadriceps issues. The right-hander won't begin the offseason on Chicago's 40-man roster, so he'll have some work to do in spring training in order to have a chance of making the Opening Day roster.

Mills underwent a procedure to remove a disc in his back Wednesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mills has been dealing with a lower-back strain since early July and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in late August. The right-hander's procedure was successful, but it seems likely that he'll be held out for the remainder of the season, especially since the Cubs aren't in postseason contention.

Mills (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The move should have no impact on Mills' return date, as he's been out with a lower-back strain since early July. He'll be eligible to return within a week but seems unlikely to do so, as he's yet to embark on a rehab assignment. The move clears space on the 40-man roster for Manuel Rodriguez (elbow) to return from his own trip to the 60-day injured list.