Two Reds playing in Caribbean World Series

While pitchers and catchers don't report to spring training for a little more than two weeks, there is already big-time baseball being played. The Caribbean World Series kicked off on Monday at noon, and two players from the Reds' minor-league system are on rosters.

Outfielder Felix Perez is on Venezuela's roster, and infielder Neftali Soto is playing for his native Puerto Rico.

The two will face off tonight in the second game of the five-team series.

All games are being played in Puerto Rico - with the semifinals on Saturday and finals on Sunday. They are broadcast on ESPN3.com.

Perez, 30, has been in the Reds' system the last five seasons. He hit .280/.325/.450 with 12 home runs and 74 RBI for Louisville last season, his third full season in Triple-A. This winter, playing for Leones del Caracas in Venezuela, Perez hit .360/.393/.572 with nine home runs and 38 RBI. His nine homers were tied for third in the league.

Soto, 25, struggled in his 21 games in the majors last season, hitting .100/.097/.133 in 31 plate appearances. At Louisville, Soto hit much better, putting up a .302/.350/.406 line with two home runs and 34 RBI in 75 games. This winter, playing for Puerto Rico's Cangrejeros de Santurce, he hit .263/.358/.351 with no home runs and four RBI in 16 games.