PITTSBURGH - Matt Morris, the veteran right-hander added by the
Pittsburgh Pirates late last season to stabilize a young rotation, was
released Sunday after failing to pitch past the second inning in his
latest start.
Morris fell to 0-4 with a 9.67 ERA after giving up six runs, three
earned, and six hits in 1 2-3 innings during an 8-4 loss to the
Phillies on Saturday night. The 33-year-old Morris was ineffective in
all five starts this season, unable to throw with much velocity or to
locate his breaking pitches.
The decision to cut him will cost the Pirates more than $10 million,
besides what they already have paid him this season. Morris is making
$10,037,283, or about one-fifth of the Pirates' payroll, and has a $1
million buyout for 2009.
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Hmmm...how about a rewrite?
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MINNEAPOLIS - Livan Hernandez, the veteran right-hander added by the
Minnesota Twins this season to stabilize a young rotation, was
released today after failing to pitch past the third inning in his
latest start.
Hernandez fell to 3-1 with a 5.05 ERA after giving up seven earned
runs including two home runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings during an
10-0 loss to the Rangers on Sunday. The 33-year-old Hernandez was
ineffective in his last three starts this season, unable to throw with
much velocity or to locate his breaking pitches. Opponents are
batting .310 against Hernandez this year.
The decision to cut him will cost the Twins about $5 million.
Hernandez is making $3.5M for the season and got a signing bonus of
$1.5M. By cutting Hernandez they eliminate his performance clauses
including $133,333 each for 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195,
200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225 and 230 innings pitched.
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