Charlton Gets Cut, Receives Job Offer

Norm Charlton was released Thursday by the Seattle Mariners, who offered the 40-year-old left-hander a job in their player development department.

“We appreciate everything Norm has done for this franchise in his career,” Mariner General Manager Pat Gillick said. “We’re hopeful that he’ll use his experience and knowledge to help our next generation of players.”

Charlton had surgery Monday in Seattle to repair a torn labrum, his second major shoulder operation in 14 months. Charlton sat out the 2002 season after surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and a torn labrum.

The rehabilitation from Charlton’s latest operation is estimated at six to eight months, and he has not said whether he will try to pitch again.

He has pitched in 605 major league games, including 249 with the Mariners.

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John Halama was picked as the fifth starter for the Oakland Athletics. Halama will be one of four left-handers in the rotation.

He joins American League Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Ted Lilly, all lefties, and right-hander Tim Hudson.

Right-hander Aaron Harang, Halama’s competition for the final spot, was optioned to triple-A Sacramento. Right-hander Chad Harville cleared waivers and was sent to Oakland’s minor league camp.

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Jason Isringhausen won’t pitch in an exhibition game until next week, and the St. Louis Cardinal closer could start the season on the disabled list. He had off-season surgery on his right shoulder.

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Pedro Martinez gave up three hits in five innings, retiring 13 of the last 14 he faced to help the Boston Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-3, at Fort Myers, Fla.... Terry Mulholland gave up 11 runs in the first two innings as the Cleveland Indians lost to the Houston Astros, 13-4, at Kissimmee, Fla. Mulholland got only five out, giving up 12 hits and two walks.... The Texas Rangers assigned catcher Gerald Laird to their minor league camp.