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CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Skip Schumaker is returning to the NL Central, completing a $5 million, two-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday that gives them a versatile player off the bench. Jamal Blackman Jersey . Schumaker gets a $2 million base salary next season and $2.5 million in 2015. The deal includes a club option for 2016 with a $2.5 million base and a $500,000 buyout. The 33-year-old Schumaker was drafted by current Reds general manager Walt Jocketty and played his first eight seasons in St. Louis, batting .288 with 23 homers and 211 runs batted in. He played for the Dodgers last season, batting .263 in 125 games with two homers and 30 RBIs. He played second base and all three outfield positions last season. "Im not going to assume anything other than that Ill be off the bench, the role Ive been in the last couple of years in the major leagues," Schumaker said during a conference call. "I dont think it will be that much different -- being used off the bench more than anything." To open a spot on the 40-man roster, the Reds designated outfielder Derrick Robinson for assignment. Robinson split time between Triple-A Louisville and Cincinnati last season, batting .255 in 102 games for the Reds. Schumaker was interested in staying with the Dodgers, but got the impression he wasnt a priority during contract talks. When the Reds showed an interest, he quickly decided to take the offer rather than go deep into the off-season as a free agent. "I had a great time in LA and especially with the run we had to get to the playoffs, the whole deal of how we started, how we finished -- a pretty amazing run," he said. "I felt there was some unfinished business and maybe going back there. "During negotiations, I kind of felt like maybe I was on the backburner, maybe hold on and sit and wait and see how things developed and what was going on in their organization. And I really didnt want to wait. I felt so good about Cincinnati." The Reds have won 90 games and made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, but failed to make it past the first round. They fired manager Dusty Baker after they lost the one-game wild card playoff in Pittsburgh. Schumaker said the Reds recent success was a major factor in his decision. "The first thing I wanted to do was sign with a team that has a chance to win," he said. "The Reds have been that way, one of the best teams in the National League the last three or four years. I knew that division really well. Walt Jocketty drafted me and gave me the opportunity to play professional baseball." Nemanja Matic Jersey . When you think teams you imagine a group of people who all shop at the same jersey store and move together in a large pack with a common goal, which is usually scoring goals. But at these Olympic Games the idea of becoming a team in figure skating makes perfect sense because of a new event called, shockingly, the Team Event. Eden Hazard Chelsea Jersey . Gonzalez participated in his final game on Sunday, Atlantas 21-20 defeat at the hands of the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers, having posted four catches for 46 yards.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Rajon Rondo says he hopes to make his season debut before the All-Star break. Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens says he has never spoken to Rondo or anybody in the organization about a specific return date. This much is clear: Rondos return is inching closer. Rondo, who has been out since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last January, told reporters at the teams morning shootaround Friday in San Francisco that he hopes to make his season debut before the break but declined to give a specific date. Bostons last game before the break is Feb. 12. "Its just a feeling," Rondo told reporters. "Ill probably just wake up (one) morning and play." Stevens said before the Celtics played at Golden State on Friday night that the decision for Rondo to return will not be made by him. Instead, the first-year Celtics coach said it will be solely up to team doctors and the point guard. "Its not my call," Stevens said. "Obviously the trainers, No. 1, to be able to clear him to do certain things, to clear him to play games, to clear him to practice. Thats their job, and they do that well. "And its about him feeling ready in a number oof ways. Chelsea Jersey. I cant lose sleep over things I cant control personally. Im more concerned about him being healthy. I want him to be fully ready to go mentally, emotionally and physically. And when that time is right, well plug him right in." Stevens also stressed hes still not sure when Rondo will return. "We never talked about a specific date," Stevens said. "Its been, Hey, when you feel like youre close, then well talk at that point. But Ive never talked to him about that nor have I heard from our organization that theres been a date thats been targeted." Rondo runs the offence but cant do it from the sideline. The four-time All-Star point guards return has been uncertain since the team announced during a double-overtime win against Miami on Jan. 27, 2013, that he would have season-ending surgery. He had injured his knee two days earlier against Atlanta. Doctors cleared Rondo to participate fully in practice in the middle of December. Theres also the possibility he could play for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League before rejoining the Celtics, who had lost six straight and nine of their last 10 entering Friday nights game at the Warriors. cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
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