Steve Carlton, With an ERA of 16.76, Is Given His Release by the Twins

Steve Carlton, one of the best left-handers in baseball history and who was the winningest active pitcher in the major leagues, was released Wednesday by the Minnesota Twins.

Carlton, 43, the only pitcher in baseball history to win four Cy Young awards, was 0-1 this year. He has a career record of 329-244.

In 9 innings this season, he allowed 20 hits, 18 earned runs and five homers. His earned-run average was 16.76.

Carlton is among baseball’s all-time leaders in victories, strikeouts (4,136), innings pitched (5,216), complete games (254), starts (709) and shutouts (55).

He was replaced on the roster by Mark Portugal, who was recalled from the Twins’ triple-A affiliate in Portland, Ore. At Portland this season, Portugal, 25, was 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA in three starts.

Twins General Manager Andy MacPhail said telling Carlton of his release Wednesday afternoon was difficult.

“It’s never easy to release a baseball player, no matter who he is, but particularly someone with Hall of Fame credentials,” said MacPhail, who is eight years younger than Carlton.