Struggling Smoltz cut

John Smoltz may have thrown the last pitch of his storied career.

The Boston Red Sox cut the struggling Smoltz on Friday, a day after the New York Yankees sent the 42-year-old righty to yet another early exit.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein traveled down 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 last 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.

At 212-152 with 154 saves and a 3.32 ERA, Smoltz compiled a glittering resume after making his major league debut in 1988.

Along with aces Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Smoltz helped Atlanta to its single World Series championship, won a Cy Young Award and is the only pitcher with more than 200 victories and 150 saves.

A’s cut Giambi

Jason Giambi’s second stint with the Oakland Athletics didn’t pan out as either side had hoped.

They have parted ways – most certainly for good this time.

Giambi was released by the A’s, cutting short the struggling slugger’s return to his first major league club. It’s unclear whether he will catch on with another club or whether this could be the end of a 15-year career.

Clearing the bases

Roberto Alomar was one of 35 coaches and players from the 1992 and 1993 Blue Jays championship teams who returned to Toronto for a reunion this weekend. They played golf and attended a dinner on Thursday, then were honored on the field before the game against Baltimore. … St. Louis right-hander Brad Thompson will appeal a three-game suspension for pitching inside to the New York Mets’ David Wright. … The Orioles have traded catcher Gregg Zaun to Tampa Bay, clearing the way for rookie Matt Wieters to become Baltimore’s main backstop. The Orioles received cash or a player to be named.