Minor MLB Transactions: 4/21/16

Here are the day’s minor moves:

• Right-hander Keyvius Sampson, who was designated for assignment by the Reds earlier this week, has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Louisville, reports C. Trent Rosecrancs of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). The former Padres top prospect has logged 55 1/3 innings with the Reds across the past two seasons, struggling to a 6.83 ERA with a 45-to-30 K/BB ratio in that time. He’ll report to Louisville on Friday, per Rosecrans.

Earlier Moves

• The Nationals have released first baseman Nate Freiman, Triple-A Syracuse broadcaster Kevin Brown tweets. Freiman, 29, had struggled in limited action since coming over in exchange for Tyler Moore late in the spring. The towering first bagger owns a .256/.309/.408 bating line in 301 plate appearances at the major league level, all compiled with the Athletics in 2013-14 campaigns. He struggled at the Triple-A level last year for Oakland, putting up a .220/.279/.321 slash.
• Former big leaguer Micah Owings has signed on with the Atlantic League’s York Revolution, Jason Bristol of CBS 21 reports on Twitter. A rare two-way player at times, Owings will dedicate himself to making it back on the mound. After parts of six seasons as a big league pitcher, Owings moved to the outfield before 2013 and slashed .265/.305/.480 with eight home runs over 213 plate appearances at the Triple-A level with the Nationals organization. He had returned to the hill since, but hasn’t thrown much in affiliated ball. The 33-year-old hasn’t seen MLB action since 2012.