Left-hander Paul Maholm Released By Reds

MAHOLM GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) – Left-hander Paul Maholm has been released from a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The former Mississippi State standout agreed to the deal Jan. 28 and had a 2.19 ERA in five spring-training games, allowing three runs, seven hits and two walks in 12 1-3 innings with five strikeouts. Cincinnati, which announced the decision Monday, originally envisioned Maholm competing for a rotation spot after the Reds traded Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon, but the Reds told Maholm in mid-March he was under consideration for a bullpen role. Under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, the Reds had until Tuesday to give Maholm written notice he would be on the opening-day roster, pay a $100,000 retention bonus or release him.