Abbott Sent Packing by the Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers were supposed to provide a fresh start for one-handed pitcher Jim Abbott.

Instead, Milwaukee might have been the last stop in his inspirational baseball career.

The Brewers on Friday released Abbott less than six months after signing him to a free-agent contract. Abbott made a surprising comeback last season after more than a year out of the game, but his career hit a low point this season as the 31-year-old had renewed struggles with control and confidence.

The team made no formal announcement of the move before traveling to Miami to play the Florida Marlins on Friday, leading to speculation that the former Angel may be retiring from baseball.

Abbott’s former teammates said that wasn’t the case, however.

“He said he’s going to take about a week off or so and see if there are any opportunities out there where he might be able to start,” Brewer reliever Mike Myers said. “Whatever he does, he’ll be fine.”

Abbott was 2-8 with a 6.91 earned-run average when the Brewers released him. Milwaukee signed Abbott as a starter, but when he failed to produce wins, he was bounced between the rotation and the bullpen.

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Kenny Rogers, who washed out as a high-priced free agent with the New York Yankees, was acquired by the New York Mets from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for two minor leaguers.

The Mets, returning from a 6-2 trip only two games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East, sent outfielder Terrance Long and pitcher Leoner Vasquez to the A’s for the 34-year-old left-hander.

Rogers is excited about the chance to erase some bad memories from his first stay in New York.

“I look forward to this challenge,” he said. “I’m happy it worked out this way. It’s a chance to go back to New York and pitch well. I have something to prove to myself more than anyone.”

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Two weeks after three workmen were killed when a crane collapsed at Miller Park in Milwaukee, work is to begin again on construction of the Brewers’ $400-million stadium. Authorities investigating the deaths of the workers cleared the way for work to resume on the stadium, due to open at the start of next season. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates, in desperate need of catchers, traded outfielder Jose Guillen and minor league pitcher Jeff Sparks to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for minor league catchers Joe Oliver and Humberto Cota. . . . Pitcher Odalis Perez, bothered by a strained ligament in his left elbow, was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Atlanta Braves, who recalled left-hander Micah Bowie from triple-A Richmond.