NEW YORK — John Smoltz might have thrown the last pitch of his storied career.
The Red Sox cut Smoltz on Friday, a day after the Yankees sent the 42-year-old right-hander to yet another early exit.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein traveled to New York to personally tell Smoltz that the team had designated him for assignment. The move gives Boston 10 days to trade, release or send Smoltz to the minors.
“When he woke up today, he said, ‘How can I help the team win?’ ” Epstein said. “But he’s a realist and understands the results have not been what we were looking for.”
After more than two decades of big wins in Atlanta, Smoltz signed with the Red Sox in January, hoping he could recover from surgery on his right shoulder.
After eight starts, the numbers weren’t pretty for a pitcher with Hall of Fame credentials: 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA.
The Red Sox also designated reliever Billy Traber for assignment, recalled right-hander Junichi Tazawa from Triple-A Pawtucket and claimed infielder Chris Woodward off waivers from Seattle.
A’s release Giambi
OAKLAND, Calif. — Jason Giambi was released by the Athletics, cutting short the struggling slugger’s return to his first major-league club.
A five-time AL all-star, Giambi was batting just .193 — lowest in the majors — when he went on the DL with a strained right quadriceps July 20. He has 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 83 games this season.
Giambi said he hopes to catch on with another team for a pennant push and prolong his 15-year career.
Twins acquire Pavano
MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins agreed to send the Indians a player to be named later in exchange for Carl Pavano, a one-time all-star whose career derailed in New York during four injury-ruined seasons with the Yankees in which he acquired the nickname “American Idle.”
Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said Pavano would start today against the Tigers.
Pavano has gone 9-8 with a 5.37 ERA in 21 starts for the Indians, giving up 150 hits and 23 walks with 88 strikeouts in 125-plus innings.
To make room for Pavano, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey was optioned to Triple-A.
Footnotes.
Left-hander Erik Bedard has fraying in his pitching shoulder, putting his season and perhaps his tenure with the Mariners in limbo.
• The Dodgers placed right-hander Jason Schmidt on the 15-day disabled list because of problems with his surgically repaired shoulder and recalled infielder Tony Abreu from Triple-A Albuquerque.
• The Orioles traded catcher Gregg Zaun to the Rays for cash or a player to be named and called up Chad Moeller from Triple-A Norfolk to take Zaun’s place on the roster.
• The Giants activated infielder Rich Aurilia (toe infection) following his rehab stint in the minors.
• Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, sidelined the past month by a left oblique strain, has been reinstated from the DL, while infielder/outfielder Micah Hoffpauir was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
• The Rangers designated right-hander Vicente Padilla for assignment, likely ending his tenure with the club. Padilla, the Rangers’ No. 2 starter when the year began, is 8-6 with a 4.92 ERA this season, his fourth with Texas.
• The Astros activated first baseman/outfielder Darin Erstad and placed right-handed reliever Doug Brocail (shoulder) on the 15-day DL. The Associated Press
