Angels’ Williams a Free Agent

Angel pitcher Shad Williams became a free agent Wednesday after having his contract sent to triple-A Vancouver, the Angels announced.

Williams had the right to request to become a free agent since it was the second time he had been taken off the 40-man roster. He pitched one inning in relief last season. In 1996, he was 0-2 with an 8.89 earned-run average in 13 games with the Angels.

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Surgery on the right shoulder of Houston Astro pitcher Chris Holt revealed a small tear of the rotator cuff, the team said. He is expected to be ready for spring training. . . . John Ericks, who lost his job as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ closer after injuring his neck in April, was demoted off the 40-man roster and assigned outright to triple-A Calgary. Also sent to Calgary was left-hander Matt Ruebel, who was 3-2 with a 6.32 ERA while spending the entire season with Pittsburgh. First baseman Eddie Williams, acquired from the Dodgers in August after starter Kevin Young injured a thumb, was released.

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A taciturn Carl Everett and his wife returned to Family Court, where their lawyer promised a court fight for the New York Met outfielder to regain custody of his two children.

The children were taken into city custody on Aug. 7 after a Shea Stadium child care worker noticed bruises on the Everett’s 5-year-old daughter, Shawna. Although he was not injured, 4-year-old Carl was placed in foster care with his sister.

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A prosecutor has obtained an arrest warrant for Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ pitcher Bobby Seay, saying he violated the terms of his probation on a conviction last year for drunk driving.

The left-handed Seay, 19, from Sarasota High, was the 12th player chosen in the amateur draft last year and was the first marquee player snagged by the expansion team. He signed for a $3-million bonus.

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Frazier Robinson, a Negro Leagues player who was Satchel Paige’s catcher from 1939 to 1942, died Monday in Kings Mountain, N.C., one day after a gymnasium at his church was named in his honor. He was 87.