Ryan Ludwick (illness) is not playing Tuesday. Ludwick was scratched from Monday's lineup due to a flu-like illness, and wasn't feeling any better when he arrived back at the Reds' spring training complex Tuesday. "He's sicker," Reds manager Dusty Baker told reporters. "We sent him home. He was trying to play (Monday). We sent him home to quarantine him. We don't want whatever it is going around."

Ryan Ludwick was scratched from Monday's lineup due to illness. He should be good to go in the next day or two. Ludwick is batting just .222 with 12 strikeouts over 36 at-bats this spring and is unlikely to have much fantasy value sharing at-bats with Chris Heisey in left field.

Ryan Ludwick expressed optimism about his hitting prospects for the Reds, now that he won't have to play half his games in pitcher-friendly Petco Park. "Playing in San Diego screwed me up," Ludwick said. "It turned me into a dead pull hitter. I got away from what I was as a hitter." In 160 games at Petco, Ludwick hit only .228/.301/.358. In 105 at-bats at the Reds' Great American Ball Park, he hit a far more impressive 276/.321/.600. We're not saying the 33-year-old will come close to his 2008 All-Star form. But rebounding from last season's letdown is a strong possibility, particularly if he earns a regular starting gig.

Reds signed OF Ryan Ludwick to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2013. The deal was agreed to in mid-January, but wasn't officially announced until Wednesday. Ludwick, 33, batted just .237/.310/.363 with 13 home runs, 75 RBI and a .674 OPS in 2011 between the Padres and Pirates. He's expected to share playing time with 27-year-old Chris Heisey in left field this season.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Reds and Ryan Ludwick have agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2013. Not a surprising landing spot considering Ludwick's history with current Reds general manager (and former Cardinals general manager) Walt Jocketty. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that he'll make a $2.5 million base salary while the contract includes some incentives. Ludwick, 33, batted just .237/.310/.363 with 13 home runs, 75 RBI and a .674 OPS last season between the Padres and Pirates. He'll share playing time with Chris Heisey in left field.

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Athletics are still pursuing a right-handed hitting outfielder like Ryan Ludwick or Jonny Gomes for depth. It's not clear whether they are currently in talks with both players or if Shea is merely using them as examples, although previous reports have at least connected them to Ludwick. Shea also hears that the Athletics haven't ruled out making a run at Johnny Damon.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Ryan Ludwick has contract offers from at least four teams. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier this week that the Athletics were considering Ludwick, even after re-signing Coco Crisp. The 33-year-old outfielder batted just .237/.310/.363 with 13 home runs, 75 RBI and a .674 OPS last season between the Padres and Pirates.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Athletics will continue to talk to free agent outfielders, including Ryan Ludwick, Conor Jackson and Cody Ross. The Athletics surprised many by agreeing to a two-year, $14 million contract with Coco Crisp on Tuesday, but they apparently aren't done upgrading their outfield. All three players mentioned above are coming off down seasons, so the cost shouldn't be exorbitant, though Ross is still reportedly aiming for a two-year deal. As of now, the A's figure to have some combination of Collin Cowgill, Josh Reddick and Michael Taylor in the corner outfield spots.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Athletics have spoken with free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick. Ludwick was originally drafted by the Athletics in 1999, but was traded to the Rangers prior to the 2002 season. The 33-year-old batted just .237 with a .674 OPS in 139 games this year between the Padres and Pirates. The Athletics have also spoken with free agent outfielders Cody Ross and Conor Jackson.

MLB.com's Chris Haft reports that the Giants have interest in free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick. San Francisco's decision-makers are expected to meet with Ludwick's agent Monday at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas. The 33-year-old batted just .237 with a .674 OPS in 139 games this year between the Padres and Pirates. His numbers have been on a steep decline since he was traded away from St. Louis in the summer of 2010.