MLB notes: Ross, Revere, Asche among 35 new free agents

NEW YORK – Tyson Ross, an All-Star pitcher for San Diego two years ago, was among 35 players who became free agents when their teams declined to offer 2017 contracts on Friday.

Washington outfielder Ben Revere and Philadelphia outfielder Cody Asche also were among those cut loose along with Arizona catcher Welington Castillo and pitcher Rubby De La Rosa; Baltimore pitcher Vance Worley; and Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Louis Coleman.

Milwaukee first baseman Chris Carter and Pittsburgh pitcher Jeff Locke also were let loose; their teams had designated them for assignment earlier this week.

Teams cut players at the tender deadline to avoid committing to salary arbitration, in which about one-sixth of next season’s salary is guaranteed.

Angels’ Pujols out 4 months after plantar fascia surgery

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols has undergone surgery on his right foot, possibly sidelining him past opening day.

The team says Pujols had the procedure Friday in North Carolina to release his plantar fascia, the ligament connecting the heel to the toes. The three-time NL MVP was bothered by plantar fasciitis repeatedly during the regular season.

He also had plantar fasciitis in his left foot during the 2013 season.

The Angels say the estimated time to return to play from the surgery is four months. Opening day for Los Angeles is April 3.

Pujols, who turns 37 next month, enjoyed a return to form last season, batting .268 with 31 homers and 119 RBIs, the fourth-most in the majors.

He has 591 career homers, ranking him ninth in major league history.

Nationals reacquire catcher Derek Norris from Padres

WASHINGTON – The Washington Nationals have reacquired catcher Derek Norris from the San Diego Padres for minor league right-hander Pedro Avila.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announced the trade Friday.

Norris, a 2007 first-round pick of the Nationals, hit .186 with 14 home runs and 42 RBIs last season for San Diego. The 27-year-old is a career .233 hitter in five major league seasons with the Oakland Athletics and Padres.

Washington sent Norris to Oakland for left-hander Gio Gonzalez in 2011. He returns to the Nationals, who avoided arbitration with catcher Jose Lobaton on Thursday.

All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos is a free agent who will miss the start of the season after knee surgery.

Avila, 19, went 7-7 with a 3.48 ERA in 20 starts for Single-A Hagerstown last season.