Pro Hogs

Schmidt released by Reds

Former Arkansas pitcher Nick Schmidt opens for the Tulsa Drillers against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

— Former Arkansas pitcher Nick Schmidt was released by the Cincinnati Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville over the weekend, according to league transactions.

Schmidt, 28, had a 7.53 earned run average in 10 appearances as a reliever this season. He was signed by the Reds as a free agent last November.

It's unclear what's next for Schmidt. He spent five seasons in the Padres organization, but never became the pitcher San Diego had hoped when the franchise selected him with the 23rd overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft.

Schmidt missed the 2008 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and was traded to the Colorado Rockies in December 2011 in the deal that brought Huston Street to San Diego. His best professional season came in 2012 when he was a combined 12-6 with a 4.35 ERA splitting time in Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Colorado Springs.

At Arkansas, Schmidt was one of the best pitchers in school history. He is the Razorbacks' all-time strikeouts leader with 345 and had a career ERA of 2.83 in 52 starts.