The Arizona Diamondbacks decided yesterday they would rather eat the remaining $22 million of Russ Ortiz's contract than keep him on their roster.
The club designated the struggling right-hander for assignment, which means it has 10 days to trade, waive or release him. The team is on the hook for the balance of the $33 million, four-year contract Ortiz signed in December 2004, a figure General Manager Josh Byrnes said was close to $22 million.
Ortiz, 32, was 0-5 with a 7.54 ERA in six starts for Arizona this season, and he was 1-14 in his last 19 starts dating to May 2005.
Around the majors
ASTROS: Activated right-hander Roy Oswalt from the DL and optioned lefty Philip Barzilla to Triple-A. Oswalt will start tonight against the Cubs.
CUBS: Right-hander Mark Prior had the most effective start of his four rehab outings in the minors, holding Triple-A New Orleans to four hits and one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings. The Cubs will decide in the next few days if Prior will make another start for Iowa or join Chicago for the first time this season.
RED SOX: Tim Wakefield's sore back has improved enough so that manager Terry Francona has penciled him in to start the series finale against the Twins tomorrow.
ORIOLES: Right fielder Jay Gibbons left last night's game after reinjuring his right knee. He was just activated from the DL on Monday after missing two weeks because of hip and knee injuries.
ROYALS: New GM Dayton Moore selected Cincinnati assistant GM Dean Taylor as vice president of baseball operations. Muzzy Jackson, a longtime K.C. executive, was hired as VP of player personnel.
