Expos Put Lee Stevens on Waivers

First baseman Lee Stevens of the Montreal Expos was put on waivers Tuesday for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

Stevens led the Expos this spring with 10 runs batted in, but was batting only .200 with 10 hits in 50 at-bats.

“It’s a business, but they’re making a big mistake,” Stevens said as he fought back tears. “There was no indication this was going to happen. When Jack Clark arrived (Monday), I thought it would have some impact on me but not this severe. They said they were going to go with other people.”

Stevens, 25, was obtained by Montreal from the Angels in an off-season trade for Jeff Tuss, who embarrassed the Angels by signing a letter of intent to play football at Fresno State instead of reporting to spring training.