Yankees Release Quantrill, Stanton

Relievers Mike Stanton and Paul Quantrill became the first victims of the New York Yankees’ roster shakeup when they were cut Thursday.

The underperforming Yankees brought up left-hander Wayne Franklin from triple-A Columbus.

“As everybody knows, we just have not performed up to expectations, and it’s gone on for a long enough period of time where we’re looking to make changes now for change sake,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We’re not afraid to try and see what some young individuals can do, and maybe we can run into something.”

New York will fill the other open roster spot today by recalling outfielder Bubba Crosby from Columbus.

Cashman met Tuesday in Tampa, Fla., with owner George Steinbrenner and the team’s top executives, and the group discussed how to jump-start a team that has struggled all season.

Quantrill, a 36-year-old right-hander, was 1-0 with a 6.75 earned-run average in 22 appearances. Stanton, a 38-year-old lefty in his second tour with the Yankees, was 1-2 with a 7.07 ERA in 28 games.

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Baltimore Oriole pitcher Steve Kline was suspended for four games and Yankee outfielder Gary Sheffield for two by the commissioner’s office.

Kline was ejected after a balk call Monday night in Baltimore, when he angrily protested the decision by plate umpire Marty Foster. Kline immediately appealed the decision.

Sheffield was ejected after being called out at first base by umpire C.B. Bucknor in Sunday’s game against the Mets at Yankee Stadium. Sheffield threw his helmet after he was called out, and replays showed he appeared to beat the throw. He has also appealed.

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Texas Ranger pitcher Frank Francisco pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault for tossing a chair at an Oakland A’s fan and was sentenced to a work program and anger management classes.

Superior Court Judge Michael Gaffey sentenced Francisco, 25, to almost 30 days in jail which can be served in a work detail. Francisco received 10 days off for good behavior. Gaffey also ordered that Francisco attend 26 anger management cases, one class a week for six months, according to prosecutors.

Francisco was also put on three years’ probation and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service.

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The Chicago White Sox put reliever Damaso Marte on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained back muscle. To replace him, the White Sox recalled Kevin Walker from triple-A Charlotte.... Washington put outfielder Ryan Church on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Rick Short from triple-A New Orleans.... Right-hander Pedro Astacio signed a minor league contract with San Diego.