The Texas Rangers dumped pitcher Vicente Padilla Friday night just before their three-game series with the Angels.
The team designated Padilla for assignment meaning they have 10 days to make a move with Padilla, who will go immediately onto trade waivers. If a team claims him, it will pick up the remainder of his $12 million contract plus his option for 2010. If he clears waivers, the Rangers will try to trade him while picking up some or all of the remainder of his contract.
If no trade is made, the Rangers will release him. Dustin Nippert will take Padilla's spot in the rotation.
On Friday night's television broadcast, commentators Tom Grieve and Josh Lewin said shortly after receiving the news, Padilla went for a run in the outfield and worked out wearing his uniform.
"It's primarily a culmination of events over time," general manager Jon Daniels told MLB.com reporter T.R. Sullivan. "We're putting together a club and an organization where everybody is pulling on the same end of the rope. When one guy isn't, it becomes apparent.
The Rangers made the move with Padilla just two days after he lost to the Athletics, 7-5, while allowing six runs in 5 2/3 innings. Scott Hairston hit a two-run home run in the first inning and two batters later Padilla hit Kurt Suzuki with a pitch. The Athletics responded two innings later when pitcher Chad Reineke hit Michael Young.
Padilla, who was the Rangers' No. 2 starter going into the season, was 5-3 with a 4.28 ERA in nine starts since the incident in New York. He also missed starts because of a sore right shoulder and a bout with the swine flu, but Daniels said that wasn't a part of the decision.
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"The guy was sick," Daniels said.
Dustin Nippert is 3-0 with 2.73 ERA in eight games, including four starts this season. He is 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA in four starts and he is 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA in six games, including two starts, since the All-Star break.
