Mariners Decide It’s Time to Cut Boone

Second baseman Bret Boone, a three-time All-Star, was cut by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday after half a season of struggles at the plate.

The 12-year veteran, who has 252 home runs, was designated for assignment. Seattle has 10 days to trade him or put him on waivers.

Seattle is responsible for the remainder of his $8.25-million salary this year.

Boone, 36, is batting .231 with seven homers and 34 runs batted in. He was benched for four games two weeks ago to work on his swing with batting instructor Don Baylor.

On his return, he played well during a three-game series in San Diego, but Manager Mike Hargrove said recently that Boone “has reverted back to where he was before.”

The Mariners put infielder Dave Hansen, who has tendinitis in his left elbow, on the 15-day disabled list.

*

The Cleveland Indians put reliever Rafael Betancourt, who has right shoulder inflammation, on the 15-day disabled list. The move was made retroactive to Thursday. He is 2-2 with a 2.21 earned-run average in 29 appearances.

*

Catcher Geronimo Gil was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Baltimore Orioles so that he can recover from a thumb injury.

Gil bruised his right thumb June 4 in Detroit. He started nine games after that, sharing time with Sal Fasano while Javy Lopez (broken hand) has been on the disabled list.

*

The Houston Astros recalled left-hander Mike Gallo from Round Rock and optioned right-hander Ezequiel Astacio to the triple-A club.

Gallo is 3-0 with a 4.08 ERA in 101 major league appearances.

Astacio is 0-4 with a 9.47 ERA in seven games after starting and losing the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Cincinnati.

*

Philadelphia outfielder Jason Michaels was arrested early Sunday after allegedly punching a uniformed police officer outside a nightclub in the city.

Michaels, 29, spent nine hours in custody before he was released on his own recognizance.