ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Reds have discussed a multi-year deal with Chris Heisey, but he's likely to agree to a one-year pact in order to avoid arbitration.

Heisey is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter as a Super 2 player. The 28-year-old has batted .259/.315/.438 with 33 homers over three seasons with the Reds and is slated for backup duty in the outfield again in 2013.

Chris Heisey launched a solo homer in Monday's win over the Pirates.

It was his only hit in seven trips to the plate, though he also drew a walk. After the Pirates failed to score on a bases-loaded, no one out chance in the top of the 14th, Ryan Ludwick won it for the Reds with a two-out infield single in the bottom of the inning.

Chris Heisey had a nice night at the plate in Friday's loss to the Astros, going 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored.

He's done a very nice job in a part-time role for the Reds this season, hitting .294 with six homers and 30 RBI over his 299 at-bats.

Chris Heisey went 2-for-4 and hit a two-run homer in the Reds' 6-5 win over the Padres on Saturday.

Heisey hasn't started back-to-back games in a couple of weeks, but he has gone 4-for-7 with three extra-base hits while starting two of three against the Padres so far. Maybe it will lead to a bit more action for him.

Chris Heisey returned to action on Monday June 18.

Chris Heisey (groin) is back in the Reds' starting lineup on Monday night against the Indians.

Heisey missed two games with a mild left groin strain before making an appearance as a pinch-hitter on Sunday afternoon. He's batting .274/.311/.363 this year.

Chris Heisey returned to action on Sunday June 17.

Updating a previous item, Chris Heisey is not dealing with an injury.

Heisey was scratched from the Reds' lineup on Friday, but it turns out that the wrong lineup was posted. Carry on.

Chris Heisey was scratched from Friday's lineup for an undisclosed reason.

It's not clear if the Reds sent out of the wrong lineup initially or whether Heisey is dealing with some sort of injury. Ryan Ludwick will now make the start in left field.

Chris Heisey finished 2-for-3 with three RBI in the Reds' 10-3 victory over the Rockies on Saturday night.

Heisey hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning and a single in the third as the Cincinnati lineup pounced on Rockies starter Jeremy Guthrie and, later, the Colorado bullpen. The home run was Heisey's first. It's been an underwhelming start to the 2012 campaign.

Chris Heisey has started in left field in four of the Reds' first 10 games this season.

Ryan Ludwick, meanwhile, has started six games in left. The two seem likely to share that position all year, with the veteran Ludwick maybe seeing slightly more action.

Chris Heisey is in the midst of a forgettable spring, as he is batting 3-for-23 (.130) with zero home runs through 10 games.

He is also leading the majors with 11 strikeouts. But that's why this is camp, and not the real thing. He still has time to work out the kinks and restore a power stroke that produced 18 homers last season in only 279 at-bats.

The Reds are expected to let OF Chris Heisey compete for a starting job this season.

''I'm confident in my ability, Heisey said. ''I understand that there are people out there who are skeptical because until you prove it, you don't know. I'm trying to be more consistent and build on the results I had in September.'' Heisey is coming off a season that saw him hit .254/.309/.487 with 18 home runs and 50 RBI over 279 at-bats, which projects to 36 homers and 100 RBI over a full season. Still, he strikes out a ton and is best suited for a part-time role. The Reds are known to have interest in free-agents Cody Ross, Ryan Ludwick, and Rick Ankiel.

Reds activated OF Chris Heisey from the 15-day disabled list.

Heisey went just 1-for-12 (.083) during his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, but the important part is that his oblique injury is behind him. The 26-year-old was batting .249/.307/.452 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in 242 plate appearances prior to landing on the DL and should see playing time in left field down the stretch. If available, he makes for a solid addition in NL-only formats.

The Reds are expected to activate Chris Heisey (oblique) from the disabled list on Thursday.

Heisey is just 1-for-8 through the first three games of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, but says he is 100 percent healthy. He'll be worth an immediate add in all NL-only leagues if his owner cut him loose when he landed on the disabled list on August 7. He's hit .249/.307/.452 to go along with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in 242 plate appearances this season.

Chris Heisey (oblique) is expected to rejoin the Reds on September 1.

Heisey took another successful round of batting practice Friday and is likely to begin a rehab assignment Saturday at an undisclosed location. He's been out since the beginning of August. "I'm just feeling a little tightness from lack of use, but no pain," Heisey said.

Chris Heisey (oblique) took batting practice on the field Tuesday for the first time since landing on the disabled list.

Heisey is eligible to return from the DL now, but he'll likely require a rehab assignment first. He could be back before the end of the month.

Reds manager Dusty Baker anticipates Chris Heisey (oblique) returning to the lineup soon.

Heisey was eligible to return Sunday, but he's not quite ready. It's possible he could first go out on a rehab assignment. "I can't see it being too much longer," Baker said. "He just started doing baseball activities a few days ago. He's feeling good, really good. He just started hitting. We certainly miss him. He miss his pinch-hitting. We miss his ability to play all outfield positions, play them well, give (Drew) Stubbs a day off in center and play some in left field."

Chris Heisey (oblique) is not expected to return from the disabled list on the day he's first eligible.

Heisey made it through a successful workout Thursday without feeling much discomfort in his once-strained left oblique, but he's not fully back to 100 percent health. The outfielder should be ready in late August.

Reds placed OF Chris Heisey on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 6, with a strained left oblique.

Heisey was able to pinch-run in Friday's game, but too sore to hit and play the field, so the Reds will shut him down and hope he's better in a couple weeks. Fred Lewis and Yonder Alonso should be the primary left fielders while Heisey is out, though Dave Sappelt, who was promoted from from Triple-A Louisville to take Heisey's spot on the roster, could also see some starts.