Trimming down the rosters continued on Tuesday for the Cincinnati Reds as they released minor league outfielder Felix Perez and minor league pitcher Wilmer Font.
Felix Perez defected from Cuba and originally signed with the New York Yankees, but he originally lied about his age and his contract was terminated. He also had to sit out a year before he was eligible to sign with another team. The Reds picked him up in the 2010 season. He hit .322 in that first season, splitting time between the Dominican Summer League Reds, the Lynchburg Hillcats and the Double-A Carolina Mudcats. He’s spent the last three seasons with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, and part of the 2011 season as well, where he’s hit .278/.326/.408. He was invited as a non-roster player to big league camp, but he struggled in limited action, hitting .143 with a double, two walks and no strikeouts in 16 plate appearances. He turned 30 in the offseason and as the roster cuts came down his age may have played a role in things as the organization needed spots for younger guys.
Wilmer Font signed with the Reds in the offseason and previously had big time arm strength, hitting the upper 90’s regularly in 2014. He suffered an injury late in the year though. Given his arm strength there has to be some lingering effects for him to be released before the season began.