Padres Release Edmonds

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres finally gave up on Jim Edmonds, releasing the struggling outfielder on Friday. The Padres acquired Edmonds in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals five months ago, hoping that the former All-Star would constitute a defensive upgrade in center field while providing pop in a power-starved lineup. But the 37-year-old Edmonds struggled offensively for the Padres, batting just .178 (16-for-90) with one homer and six RBI in 26 games.

Edmonds' shortcomings were magnified on the offensively challenged Padres (12-23), who have lost 17 of their last 21 games and own the worst record in the majors. San Diego has scored a major league-low 117 runs this season and enters Friday's contest against Colorado with the worst team batting average (.232) and on-base percentage (.304) in baseball. The Padres had counted on some sort of offensive production from Edmonds, a four-time All-Star who had one year and $8 million remaining on his contract.

An eight-time Gold Glove winner, he entered this season with 362 homers and a career .287 average. But Edmonds' career has been in a steep decline since he finished fourth in balloting for the 2004 National League MVP. After undergoing surgery on both his right shoulder and foot prior to last season, Edmonds endured his least productive year as a Cardinal, hitting .252 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI in 117 games. His batting average, runs scored, home run and RBI totals have declined each of the last three seasons. Edmonds had his best season in 2004, when he hit .301 with 42 homers, 111 RBI and 102 runs scored while hitting behind Albert Pujols. He also posted a career-best .643 slugging percentage.

o replace Edmonds on the roster, the Padres recalled outfielder Jody Gerut from Class AAA Portland. The lefthanded Gerut appeared in four games this season with San Diego and had one hit in six at-bats. The Padres made another roster move Friday, claiming reliever Sean Henn off waivers from the New York Yankees. Henn, 27, owns a 7.53 ERA in 36 career appearances - all with the Yankees. The lefthander will join the Padres prior to Saturday's contest against the Rockies.