The Reds designated righty Carlos Fisher to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Ryan Ludwick, reports MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.  Jeff Francis' minor league deal with the Reds was also finalized.

Fisher, 28, has compiled a 4.74 ERA in 98 2/3 innings across stints with the Reds in each of the last three seasons.  Fisher, a native of Duarte, California, was drafted by the Reds in the 11th round in 2005.