BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Williams Home on Range With Release

As expected, the Houston Astros released reliever Mitch Williams Tuesday. In anticipation of the move, Williams, 29, had already left the team to return to his Texas ranch.

Officially, Williams was placed on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. If he isn’t claimed--and no claims are expected--he will be released Friday. The Astros are responsible for the rest of his $2.5-million salary this season.

Williams, obtained in a trade with Philadelphia on Dec. 2, was 1-4 this season with a 7.65 earned-run average. He had six saves with two blown chances and gave up 21 hits and walked 24 batters in 20 innings.

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According to the June 6 edition of Sports Illustrated, Darryl Strawberry, released a week ago by the Dodgers, is bound to a divorce settlement with his ex-wife, Lisa, and their two children, Darryl Jr., 8, and Diamond Nicole, 5, worth $80,000 a month. . . . The Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Wes Chamberlain and minor league pitcher Mike Sullivan from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Billy Hatcher and pitcher Paul Quantrill.