The Reds designated Benson for assignment Saturday.
The move comes after the Reds reinstated Hunter Greene (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Saturday. Benson was sent down to Triple-A Louisville in late June after struggling to a .188/.310/.333 slash line with one steal, three homers and six RBI across 113 major-league plate appearances. He's been better in the minors, and Benson could stick around in Cincinnati if he clears waivers.