Wright Cut by Indians

The Cleveland Indians on Wednesday declined to pick up their 2003 contract option on right-handed pitcher Jaret Wright, a former Anaheim Katella High standout whose career has been slowed by injuries.

Wright, son of former Angel left-hander Clyde Wright, has been on the disabled list seven times since 1999. He declined to be outrighted and will file for free agency, the Indians said.

Cleveland had a $6-million option on Wright for 2003.

Indian General Manager Mark Shapiro said the team could possibly sign Wright as a free agent.

Wright is open to the idea of returning to the Indians as a free agent, Shapiro said.

“I believe he’ll be a successful major league pitcher again,” Shapiro said.

Wright, 26, spent the first half of last season on the disabled list because of shoulder problems. He has had two surgeries on the shoulder since June 2000 and had an operation on his elbow in 2001.

In six starts for the Indians last season, Wright went 2-3 with a 15.71 earned-run average.

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The Dodgers acquired right-handed pitcher Brian Mallette to complete the July trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Tyler Houston and minor league pitchers Ben Diggins and Shane Nance.

Mallette, 27, made his major league debut April 12 at San Francisco. He had no decisions and a 10.80 ERA in five games with the Brewers, and was 3-2 with 25 saves and a 2.78 ERA at triple-A Indianapolis.

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Ned Yost, a coach with the Atlanta Braves the last 12 years and a member of the Brewers’ 1982 American League championship team, became the fourth candidate to interview for the Brewers’ vacant managerial job.

Arizona coach Bob Melvin, New York Yankee coach Willie Randolph and Brewer coach Cecil Cooper have interviewed with the team, which plans to interview Oakland bench coach Ken Macha today.

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San Diego Padre closer Trevor Hoffman had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder to clean up fraying in the rotator cuff and the team expects him to be ready by spring training....Cincinnati Red outfielder Wily Mo Pena is expected to have surgery Friday to repair the left hamstring he tore while playing in the Arizona Fall League.