Major League Baseball

Red Sox officially release former Cy Young winner

Published Aug. 18, 2009 1:38 a.m. ET

foxsports

John Smoltz has been released by the Red Sox, a major league source told FOXSports.com.

After eight starts with Boston, Smoltz was 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA. General Manager Theo Epstein flew to New York on Aug. 7 to give Smoltz the word in person that he was being designated for assignment.

The move is not a surprise, since his contract was designated for assignment on Aug. 7. Smoltz will clear unconditional release waivers on Wednesday, at which point he will be free to discuss a new contract with any team.

The Dodgers, Marlins, Cardinals and Rangers have interest, sources have told FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal.

Smoltz, 42, does not intend to retire and is open to joining clubs as a starter or reliever, a source told Rosenthal over the weekend.

The Red Sox are now obligated to pay the remainder of the one-year, $5.5 million contract Smoltz signed in the offseason.

Tom Glavine said he had not talked with his former Braves teammate, but he predicted Smoltz will pitch again.

"I'm sure someone will grab him," Glavine said in a text message to The Associated Press.

There is no room for Smoltz to make a return to Atlanta, general manager Frank Wren said Monday.

"With the anticipated addition of Tim Hudson in the near future we have not pursued John Smoltz," Wren said in an e-mail on Monday.

If Smoltz signs with another team, Boston would receive an offset of the pro-rated minimum salary. Under that scenario, Smoltz's new team would not pay him any bonuses related to incentives in the original contract, as the bonuses are negated once a player is released.

His agent, Lonnie Cooper, did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment Monday.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have lost six of their last 10 games, with a rotation minus injured Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.