CINCINNATI, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds Friday offered salary arbitration to righthander Jose Rijo, who returned to the major leagues in 2001 for the first time in six years.
The 1990 World Series Most Valuable Player, Rijo posted a 2.12 ERA in 13 appearances for the Reds without getting a decision.
He last pitched in the major leagues in 1995.
The Reds also offered arbitration to righthanders Pete Harnisch and Joey Hamilton.
Harnisch posted a 1-3 record and 6.37 ERA in seven starts before suffering a season-ending right elbow injury in early May.
Hamilton was 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four September starts for Cincinnati.
The players have until Dec.19 to accept or reject the offer. If they accept, they will join eight other Reds eligible for arbitration.
Should the players reject the offer, the Reds have until Jan. 8 to re-sign them. If no deal is made by then, they will not be able to sign a major league contract with Cincinnati until May
15.
Rijo, Harnisch and Hamilton all filed for free agency on Nov.6.
The eight Reds eligible for arbitration are righthanders Elmer Dessens, Scott Williamson and Danny Graves, lefthander Dennys Reyes, first baseman Sean Casey, second baseman Pokey Reese,
third baseman Aaron Boone and outfielder Dmitri Young.
