Hammonds Isn’t Worth the Money to Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers released injury-plagued outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds on Wednesday, a little more than two seasons after signing the richest contract in team history.

Hammonds was hitting .158 with one home run and three RBIs when he was put on the 15-day disabled list April 15 with a high ankle sprain.

“The reason [for the release] was because of the play of John Vander Wal and Brady Clark,” Manager Ned Yost said. “We could not find a way to make a spot on the roster and not penalize these guys for the work they are doing.”

The Brewers found little interest in Hammonds and the more than $5 million remaining this season on his $8.2-million salary.

*

The Minnesota Twins put right-handed pitcher Rick Reed on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back bruise. The Twins bought the contract of right-hander Mike Nakamura from triple-A Rochester and transferred right-hander Mike Fetters to the 60-day DL.

*

Infielder Damion Easley was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after batting only .187 with a homer and seven RBIs in 36 games.

Easley, 33, signed with Tampa Bay on April 2 after being released by Detroit on March 28. Easley was the most expensive player cut loose in baseball history when the Tigers let him go. He still had $14.3 million left on his contract.

*

A judge in Chicago recommended a sentence of six months in a boot camp for the teenager who rushed the field with his father and attacked a Kansas City coach during a game between the Royals and White Sox last September.

The Illinois Department of Corrections Juvenile Division will decide whether to accept the recommendation.

The boy, 16, and his father, 35-year-old William Ligue Jr., ran from the seats and started pummeling Tom Gamboa, then the Royals’ first-base coach, during a game Sept. 19.

*

As expected, Arizona put Curt Schilling on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken right hand and recalled right-hander Andrew Good from triple-A Tucson.... Texas traded pitcher Alan Benes to the Chicago Cubs for minor league infielder Steve O’Sullivan.