Hermanson signs with Cincinnati

SARASOTA, Fla., March 1 (UPI) -- Former Chicago White Sox closer Dustin Hermanson has signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

Hermanson is to join the Reds at their Sarasota, Fla., spring training site, The Cincinnati Post reported Thursday.

He had 34 saves and a 3.04 earned run average for Chicago in 2005 but was limited to six appearances in 2006 because of back problems.

Reds officials have been watching Hermanson's progress since February to see if the back problems recurred, the newspaper said.

Hermanson, 34, broke into the major leagues with the San Diego Padres in 1995. He has also played for Montreal, St. Louis, Boston, San Francisco and the White Sox. Hermanson owns a career record of 73-78 with 56 saves and a 4.21 ERA.