SEATTLE — Slugger Richie Sexson was released Thursday by the Mariners after a slump that lasted for most of two seasons and made him a target of constant booing from frustrated Seattle fans.
The Mariners would have preferred to trade Sexson (.218, 30 RBIs), but his $14 million salary made that nearly impossible. So now Seattle is eating the rest of that money — $6,120,219 Sexson is owed from today through the end of the season — in what could be the first of multiple moves to rid the last-place team of underperforming veterans.
The Mariners also placed opening-day starter Erik Bedard on the 15-day disabled list with stiffness in his left shoulder. The move, retroactive to July 5, means Bedard will be eligible to return July 20.
Footnotes.
Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton likely will be sidelined through the all-star break with a strained oblique muscle.
• Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells is expected to miss four to six weeks with a strained left hamstring after being placed on the 15-day DL.
• Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder was placed on the 15-day DL with a shoulder strain, one day after he left his comeback start after facing only three batters.
• Johnny Damon’s injured left shoulder is still too sore for baseball activities, and the Yankees left fielder is hoping to start hitting off a tee Monday.
• Mets left fielder Moises Alou likely will miss the rest of the year because of a torn left hamstring.
• Rays third baseman Evan Longoria and Brewers outfielder Corey Hart were elected all-stars by fans in Internet balloting. The Associated Press
