Baseball-Major League Baseball roundup

Aug 13 (The Sports Xchange) - The Washington Nationals released demoted closer Jonathan Papelbon on Saturday. Papelbon had requested his release, but only after the team informed him that he would be designated for assignment, the Washington Post reported. The 35-year-old Papelbon has a 2-4 record and career-worst 4.37 ERA with 19 saves in 37 games this season. His struggles before the trade deadline led to the team's decision to acquire All-Star closer Mark Melancon from the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the two weeks since the trade, Papelbon has made just two appearances and Melancon has pitched in five games, allowing one hit over five scoreless innings while converting both of his save chances. The controversial Papelbon, a six-time All-Star, was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies on July 28, 2015. One week before the end of the 2015 season, Papelbon attempted to choke teammate and eventual National League MVP Bryce Harper during an altercation in the dugout when the two players got into an argument after Harper did not run out a pop fly. Papelbon was suspended seven games for his actions. Papelbon is making $11 million in 2016, the final year of his contract, and now can sign with any team. The Nationals are responsible for the remainder of his salary this year. -- The New York Yankees unconditionally released Alex Rodriguez on Saturday, ending his 12 years with the team and possibly his 22-year major league career. Rodriguez had a memorable finale with the Yankees on Friday night, getting an RBI double in his first at-bat and walking off the field as a third baseman to a standing ovation and embraces from his teammates during the 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. The 41-year-old designated hitter batted .200 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 65 games this season. He has 696 home runs, fourth on the career list behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714). The 14-time All-Star and three-time American League MVP has a .295 career batting average with 3,115 hits and 2,086 RBIs, second to Aaron's 2,297. A-Rod's career has been stained by the use of performance-enhancing substances. He missed the entire 2014 season after being hit with a 162-game suspension. The Yankees are still responsible for $27,103,825 remaining on his $275 million, 10-year contract. He is owed $7,103,825 of his $20 million salary for the final 65 days of this season and $20 million next year. Rodriguez has been offered to stay on with the Yankees as a special advisor and instructor. -- The Yankees called up outfielder Aaron Judge and infielder/outfielder Tyler Austin from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the rookies immediately made an impact in their major league debuts. Austin and Judge became the first pair of teammates to hit home runs in their first at-bats in the same game and the Yankees began the post-Rodriguez era with an 8-4 victory over the Rays. Judge, 24, was hitting .270 with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs in 93 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Austin was hitting .323 with 13 homers and 49 RBIs in 56 games for the Triple-A club. -- The St. Louis Cardinals officially placed outfielder Matt Holliday on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured thumb suffered in Thursday night's game. The move is retroactive to Friday and the team also purchased the contract of rookie right-hander Luke Weaver from Triple-A Memphis to start in his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Holliday is hitting .242 with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs in 107 games this year. Weaver, 22, has made 38 career minor league starts and holds a 15-9 record with a 1.78 ERA over 197 2/3 innings. Weaver's major league debut was over after 85 pitches, allowing two runs in four innings. (Editing by Larry Fine) ))