The Reds purchased Balester's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Balester has spent time in two organizations this season, but has fared well over his 21 appearances with Louisville, producing a 13:3 K:BB ratio and a 2.05 ERA across 21 innings. The 29-year-old last appeared in the majors in 2012 with the Tigers.

Balester (elbow) re-signed with the Pirates on a minor league deal Tuesday which includes an invite to spring training, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Balester, a fourth-round pick in 2004, struggled upon his return from Tommy John surgery last season, going 1-5 with a 8.53 ERA and 2.15 WHIP in 18 appearances between rookie ball and Double-A Altoona. He'll get to make his case for a bullpen spot in spring training, but the right-hander will more than likely end up back in the minors to begin 2015.

Pirates signed RHP Collin Balester to a minor league contract.

Balester posted a 7.33 ERA in five starts and one relief appearance with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate this past season before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in June. The 27-year-old will be rehabbing until midseason.

Collin Balester underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Monday.

Balester signed a minor league deal with the Rangers over the winter and had a 7.33 ERA and 22/9 K/BB ratio in 27 innings across five starts and one relief appearance this season. The 27-year-old will likely be in rehab mode until around midseason next year.

Rangers signed RHP Collin Balester to a minor league contract.

He also gets a spring training invite. Balester had a 6.50 ERA in 11 appearances with the Tigers this season before being demoted to the minors and posting a 3.64 ERA and 45/12 K/BB ratio over 47 innings with Triple-A Toledo. He could be in the mix for a bullpen job.

Colin Balester has elected free agency.

The 26-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Tigers last offseason in exchange for Ryan Perry, but struggled to the tune of a 6.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 12/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings before being banished to Triple-A Toledo for the remainder of the season. He shouldn't have a problem securing a spring training invite on the open market.

Tigers sent RHP Collin Balester outright to Triple-A Toledo.

Balester cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 25-year-old right-hander will serve as relief depth in the minor leagues.

Tigers designated RHP Collin Balester for assignment.

He was cleared to make room for outfielder Quintin Berry on the active roster. Balester, who was acquired from the Nationals during the offseason, has a 6.50 ERA and 12/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings of work this season. He could draw interest on waivers.

Tigers acquired RHP Collin Balester from the Tigers for RHP Ryan Perry.

Balester, 25, posted a 4.54 ERA over 23 relief appearances with the Nationals this past season, despite a very solid 34/14 K/BB ratio over 35 2/3 innings. He has pitched much better since being converted to reliever and should be a nice addition to the middle innings for Detroit.

Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse.

Balester has posted a 4.61 ERA and 11/8 K/BB ratio in 13 2/3 innings this season for the Nationals. The righty will function as a long reliever down the stretch.

The Nationals are expected to call up Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse before Tuesday's game.

He'll replace Atahualpa Severino, who was optioned back to the minors following Monday's game. Balester, 25, has a 4.61 ERA and 11/8 K/BB ratio over 13 2/3 innings with the Nationals this season. He is expected to pitch in long relief.

The Nationals have secured optional waivers on right-hander Collin Balester.

Balester was designated for assignment earlier this week, but he was expected to remain in the organization all along. Players almost always clear under optional waivers, so Balester was placed back on the 40-man roster and has already reported to Triple-A Syracuse.

Nationals designated RHP Collin Balester for assignment.

Balester had an option remaining, but the Nationals decided to go ahead and kick him off the 40-man roster. The 25-year-old has registered a 4.61 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 13 2/3 innings of relief this season for the Nats.

The Nationals are expected to option right-hander Collin Balester to the minors to make room for Tuesday's starter Ross Detwiler.

The move isn't official yet, but Balester was packing his bags following Monday's win over the Cubs. The 25-year-old threw a season-high 76 pitches over four innings of relief Sunday, so he likely needs a couple days of rest anyway.

Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse.

The Nationals haven't announced a corresponding roster move. The 25-year-old right-hander has compiled an impressive 3.29 ERA and 29/11 K/BB ratio over 25 innings at the Triple-A level this season. This will his third stint with the Nats this season, though he has only made three appearances.

Nationals optioned RHP Collin Balester to Triple-A Syracuse.

Balester took Todd Coffey's roster spot on April 17 but will be sent back down as the Nationals activate Coffey from the disabled list Sunday. After a great spring Balester gave up three earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched with a 1/3 K/BB ratio in the big leagues.

Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse.

Balester had a terrific spring but failed to make the team. He also was off to a great start at Syracuse, striking out six over five scoreless innings. He'll take Todd Coffey's spot in the bullpen.

Nationals optioned RHP Collin Balester to Triple-A Syracuse.

Balester was great in the Grapefruit League this spring, but the Nats decided in the end that he wasn't ready for a big league bullpen job. He should be an early call-up.

Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse.

Balester has had a terrible year at Triple-A (5.87 ERA) and hasn't been much better with the Nats (4.70 ERA) despite striking out 12 batters in 7 2/3 innings. He'll be used in a long relief role.

Nationals recalled RHP Colin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse.

Balester was struggling at Triple-A this year (6.60 ERA), and hasn't ever struck out even eight batters per nine in the minor leagues, so his upside is severely limited. He'll take Stephen Strasburg's place until Jordan Zimmermann is called up later in the week, most likely.