Ross, Revere, Asche among 35 new free agents
NEW YORK (AP) - Tyson Ross, an All-Star pitcher for San Diego two years ago, was among 35 players who became free agents when their teams declined to offer them 2017 contracts on Friday.
Washington outfielder Ben Revere and Philadelphia outfielder Cody Asche also were cut loose, along with Arizona catcher Welington Castillo and pitcher Rubby De La Rosa; Baltimore pitcher Vance Worley; and Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Louis Coleman.
Milwaukee first baseman Chris Carter and Pittsburgh pitcher Jeff Locke were non-tendered as well; their teams had already designated them for assignment earlier this week.
Teams cut players at the tender deadline to avoid committing to salary arbitration, in which about one-sixth of next season's salary is guaranteed.
Ross, a 29-year-old right-hander, was 13-14 with a 2.81 ERA in 2014 and 10-12 with a 3.26 ERA the following season. He was limited to one major league appearance this year and had surgery in October for thoracic outlet syndrome. Recovery time was expected to be four to six months, and the Padres deemed him too pricy for arbitration after he earned $9,625,000 this year.
Asche, 26, was designated for assignment earlier Friday to clear a roster spot for left-hander David Rollins, claimed off waivers from Texas. Asche hit .240 with 31 homers and 125 RBIs for the Phillies during 371 games in the past four seasons and would have been eligible for arbitration for the first time.
The 28-year-old Revere was acquired from Toronto in January for reliever Drew Storen but strained his right oblique in his first at-bat of the season, left after four innings and went on the disabled list. Revere returned May 6, hit just .217 with two homers and 24 RBIs in 103 games and would have been on track for a raise from his $6.25 million salary.
Castillo batted .264 with 14 homers and 68 RBIs and would have gotten a big raise from his $3.7 million salary.
Thirteen players agreed to deals ahead of the deadline, including Colorado reliever Jake McGee ($5.9 million), Oakland first baseman Yonder Alonso ($4 million), Chicago White Sox second baseman Brett Lawrie ($3.5 million) and outfielder Avisail Garcia ($3 million), Minnesota infielder Eduardo Escobar ($2.6 million) and New York Mets catcher Rene Rivera ($1.75 million).
Milwaukee reached deals with second baseman Scooter Gennett ($2,525,000) and outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis ($900,000 in majors, $257,000 in minors).
Pittsburgh agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract with left-hander Wade LeBlanc that includes a $750,000 salary next year and a $1.25 million team option for 2018 with a $50,000 buyout.
San Francisco struck deals with right-hander Cory Gearrin ($1.05 million) and infielder Ehire Adrianza ($600,000 in majors and $300,000 in minors).
Atlanta agreed to contracts with catcher Anthony Recker ($800,000) and left-hander Paco Rodriguez ($637,500).
Among players who were already free agents, left-hander Brian Duensing agreed to a $2 million, one-year deal with the World Series champion Chicago Cubs.