Reed reportedly happy staying in Ravens nest

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Ed Reed (TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT)

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Ryan Dempster (CP)

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed delivered a much different message Wednesday than his cryptic off-season comments where he hinted at a potential holdout and contemplated retirement.

Now, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year says he wants to remain with the Ravens on a long-term basis and has communicated that desire to general manager Ozzie Newsome.

The 33-year-old Reed is entering the final year of a six-year, $40-million contract and is due a $7.2 million base salary this season.

"Talks have already been there," Reed said. "I know Ozzie and them know I want to be here. We will get that done when it's time to cross that bridge."

Reed skipped a mandatory minicamp in June and remained away from the team the entire off-season, but the eight-time Pro Bowl selection reported on time for training camp last week.

Reds catcher sidelined

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco planned to appeal his three-game suspension for making contact with an umpire during an argument.

The rookie will be sidelined for a while anyway because of a concussion.

Mesoraco was placed on the seven-day disabled list for concussions before Wednesday night's game against San Diego. Cincinnati also called up catcher Dioner Navarro from its top farm club.

Mesoraco was injured in a collision with Cameron Maybin near home plate in the second inning of Monday night's 11-5 loss to the Padres. The catcher was later ejected for arguing balls and strikes. Before leaving the field, he poked a finger at plate umpire Chad Fairchild's chest protector and bumped him.

Dempster comes full circle

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Ryan Dempster finally has a chance to start for the Texas Rangers.

Traded Tuesday from the Chicago Cubs, Dempster arrived in the Metroplex about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and spent the remainder of the afternoon getting adjusted to his fourth major league team -- the one that drafted him in the third round in 1995 out of a high school in British Columbia. He was traded as a minor leaguer and made his big league debut with the Florida Marlins in 1998.

"It's neat to get drafted by them as an 18-year-old kid and to end up back here pitching," Dempster said.

The 35-year-old has gone from being a starter to a closer and back to starting again during his 15-year major league career. He entered Wednesday with a 2.25 ERA, second in the major leagues only to the 2.22 of San Francisco's Ryan Vogelsong

"He's happy to be here, and I'm equally happy to have him," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "He can be support for our young pitching staff."

Tonight, he'll make his first start for the AL West leaders, who have reached the World Series in each of the last two years.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 2, 2012 C6