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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Braves cut Glavine loose

Tom Glavine proclaimed himself ready to return to majors.  (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

In a stunning move, the Atlanta Braves released 305-game winner Tom Glavine on Wednesday, just when it seemed he was ready to return to the big leagues.

Glavine, 43, who was coming back from shoulder and elbow surgery, threw six scoreless innings for Class-A Rome on Tuesday night and proclaimed himself ready to pitch in the majors again.

Instead, the Braves cut him, another move that figures to draw the ire of Atlanta fans after the team failed to re-sign John Smoltz during the offseason.

General manager Frank Wren said the decision had nothing to do with a $1 million bonus that Glavine would have received for being placed on the major league roster.

Top prospect Tommy Hanson will be called up Saturday to start against Milwaukee.

“We gave (Glavine) the option, ‘If you want to retire, you can retire as a Brave,’ ” Wren said. “He asked us to release him.”

The Braves made another major move, acquiring All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates for three prospects.

Longoria appears OK

Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria is not expected to go on the disabled list because of a sore left hamstring.

Longoria, who leads the American League in voting for this year’s All-Star game, was hurt running out a grounder in the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s 6-2 win over Kansas City.

Longoria is hitting .322 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs this season.

Clearing the bases

Texas purchased right-hander Doug Mathis’ contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City before their game against the Yankees. Mathis, 25, pitched for the Spokane Indians in 2005. … San Diego OF Scott Hairston was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left biceps. Hairston had a team-high .327 average. … Reliever J.C. Romero returned to Philadelphia following his 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. … Cleveland IF Asdrubal Cabrera (sprained left shoulder) was put on the 15-day DL.