"The long wait between Ryan Ludwick agreeing to become a Red and officially being announced as one – "it was like Groundhog Day," he said – did nothing to dampen Ludwick's enthusiasm for his new gig.

"People might find it hard to believe," he said. "But this the most excited I've been in my career. ... It's a dream come true."

Ludwick's one-year, $2.5 million deal with a mutual option was announced Wednesday. The Reds designated right-hander Carlos Fisher for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Ludwick. The Reds also announced that they had reached a minor league deal with left-hander Jeff Francis.

Ludwick was born in Florida and went to high school in Las Vegas, but he has been a Reds fan his entire life."