Brewers release Wolf on his 36th birthday

Left-handed starting pitcher Randy Wolf was released by the Milwaukee Brewers.

He allowed a National League-high 179 hits and 90 earned runs and was 3-10 overall with a 5.69 ERA.

Wolf turned 36 Wednesday and was 0-4 with a 6.57 ERA in his past five starts.

Wolf was in the final year of a three-year, $29.75 million contract. The Brewers will be on the hook for a $1.5 million buyout for avoiding the club option of $10 million in 2013.

Right-hander Shaun Marcum is expected to be activated from the disabled list this weekend and fill Wolf's spot in the rotation.

In the interim, infielder Jeff Bianchi, recalled from Triple-A Nashville, will fill the spot on the 25-man roster.