Fred Lewis has signed a deal with the Hiroshima Carp of the Japanese Central League.

Lewis will earn a $400,000 base and will also receive a $150,000 signing bonus. Hiroshima also has an option on him for a second season. Lewis spent just 18 games at the big league level in 2012, picking up only three hits in 20 at-bats with the Mets.

Fred Lewis has elected to become a free agent.

Lewis was outrighted off the Mets' 40-man roster this week after going just 3-for-20 as a September call-up. The speedster will try to latch on with a new organization.

Mets sent OF Fred Lewis outright to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. After spending most of the season at the Triple-A level, Lewis went 3-for-20 (.150) in 18 games as a September call-up.

Mets purchased the contract of OF Fred Lewis from Triple-A Buffalo.

Lewis, 31, batted .294/.379/.482 with 13 home runs, 45 RBI, 25 stolen bases and an .862 OPS over 108 games with Buffalo this season. He owns a .267/.345/.406 batting line in the big leagues and has some speed, but is unlikely to get enough playing time to have fantasy value.

Mets signed OF Fred Lewis to a minor league contract.

Lewis used the opt-out clause in his deal with the Indians earlier this month after failing to make the team, and he's now found another organization. He'll presumably be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo for now, but he could promoted eventually to help fill in for the injured Jason Bay.

Indians released OF Fred Lewis.

Lewis used the opt-out clause in his contract after being assigned to minor league camp late last month. The speedy outfielder went 3-for-15 in nine Cactus League games. He'll try to latch on with another club.

Indians reassigned OF Fred Lewis to minor league camp.

Lewis failed to impress as a non-roster invitee, batting just .200 (3-for-15) in nine games. It's not clear if he'll remain with the club in the minors or formally request his release.

Indians signed OF Fred Lewis to a minor league contract.

He also gets a spring training invite. Lewis, 30, batted .230/.321/.317 with three homers, 19 RBI, two stolen bases and a .638 OPS in 210 plate appearances with the Reds last season. He'll hope to win a spot on the Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder.

Fred Lewis has elected free agency.

The 30-year-old outfielder batted .230/.321/.317 with three homers and 19 RBI in 210 plate appearances this season for the Reds. His speed will attract a few suitors, but he may have to settle for a minor league deal.

Reds sent OF Fred Lewis outright to Triple-A Louisville.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Lewis, 30, has underwhelmed in a reserve outfielder role this season, batting .230/.321/.317 with three homers, 19 RBI and a .638 OPS over 210 plate appearances.

Fred Lewis doubled twice and drove in two runs against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Lewis, who has lost some playing time of late, got the start in right today to give Jay Bruce a day off. With Jonny Gomes playing better, Lewis doesn't figure to go back to starting in left field against right-handers.

Fred Lewis went 0-for-4 in the loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.

The Reds are giving Lewis a look as their left fielder against right-handers, but it doesn't figure to last much longer with the way he's going. He's just 1-for-15 in June and hitting .224 with one homer in 67 at-bats overall. The Reds may soon recommit to Jonny Gomes or give Chris Heisey a try.

Reds activated OF Fred Lewis from the 15-day disabled list.

Lewis batted .279/.436/.488 with one home run and four RBI over 15 rehab games between Double-A Carolina and Triple-A Louisville. He'll have to beat out Jonny Gomes and Chris Heisey for regular playing time, but is worth watching in NL-only leagues.

Fred Lewis (oblique) is batting .316/.519/.632 through 27 plate appearances at Triple-A Louisville.

Lewis also has a home run, three RBI and one stolen base since moving his rehab from Double-A Carolina to Triple-A Louisville. The Reds have a crowded outfield depth chart but should find a use for him soon.

Fred Lewis (oblique) is batting .200 (3-for-15) over his first five minor league rehab games with Double-A Carolina.

Lewis began the season on the disabled list with a strained oblique. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty originally said the 30-year-old outfielder will likely be in the minors for at least a couple weeks, so we're likely looking at a return in late-April or early-May.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty said Thursday that Fred Lewis will be on a rehab assignment "at least a couple weeks."

Lewis is scheduled to begin playing in minor league games this weekend and will probably return to the big leagues in late April if everything goes well. He's been sidelined since the spring by an oblique strain.

Fred Lewis (oblique) is eligible to be activated from the disabled list Monday, but he'll go on a rehab assignment first.

Lewis has been swinging a bat and doing all other baseball-related activities. "He said he's a little sore from working out," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He's using muscles he hasn't used before. He said he's progressing good." The Reds currently only have four true outfielders on the roster, but it's still not a given that Lewis will be added to the roster when he's healthy.

Fred Lewis (oblique) said Friday that he feels "good" and has been "swinging the bat and everything."

The outfielder played in an extended spring game earlier Friday. Though it seems likely that he'll be physically ready to join the Reds before long, he might be initially assigned to Triple-A Louisville.

Reds placed OF Fred Lewis on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27, with a strained oblique.

Lewis strained his right oblique during the last week of spring camp and won't be ready for action for at least another 10 days. The Reds may ask the outfielder to spend some time in the minors before they activate him.

Fred Lewis (side soreness) will open the regular season on the 15-day disabled list.

Lewis is scheduled to visit a specialist Monday to get an idea of when he might be able to return to action. He's likely to spend about a week at extended spring training.