CINCINNATI -- The Reds designated closer Danny Graves for assignment on Monday, a day after he made a hand gesture at a taunting fan following his latest poor performance.
Graves, the Reds' career saves leader, gave up five ninth-inning runs in Cleveland's 9-2 victory Sunday at Great American Ball Park, then was booed and taunted by fans as he left the field.
Graves didn't react to the fans as he walked off the field and went to the end of the dugout to get a drink. When he returned to the end by the bat rack, a man in one of the high-priced seats next to the dugout yelled at him. Graves yelled back and made an obscene hand gesture.
Graves spoke with general manager Dan O'Brien and other Reds official by phone before the club decided to designate him for assignment, a move that ends his career with Cincinnati. The Reds have 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.
The 31-year-old reliever slipped to 1-1 with a 7.76 ERA after his performance Sunday.
The Reds have lost 18 of their last 23 games, falling out of contention in the NL Central.
Graves, the Reds' career saves leader, gave up five ninth-inning runs in Cleveland's 9-2 victory Sunday at Great American Ball Park, then was booed and taunted by fans as he left the field.
Graves didn't react to the fans as he walked off the field and went to the end of the dugout to get a drink. When he returned to the end by the bat rack, a man in one of the high-priced seats next to the dugout yelled at him. Graves yelled back and made an obscene hand gesture.
Graves spoke with general manager Dan O'Brien and other Reds official by phone before the club decided to designate him for assignment, a move that ends his career with Cincinnati. The Reds have 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.
The 31-year-old reliever slipped to 1-1 with a 7.76 ERA after his performance Sunday.
The Reds have lost 18 of their last 23 games, falling out of contention in the NL Central.
