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Smoltz Designated for Assignment

The John Smoltz experiment has finally come to a close.

According to Red Sox manager Terry Francona, right-handed
pitcher John Smoltz has been designated for assignment.

Smoltz lasted just 3 1/3 innings Thursday night en route to New
York’s 13-6 win. Smoltz is now 2-5 with a 8.33 ERA in eight starts this
season. In his last four starts, the 21-year vet has allowed eight homers and 25
earned runs. He has allowed at least five earned runs in all but two starts this
season for Boston.

Smoltz’s struggles this season began early and the 42-year-old could never
find his rhythm. In his first start, on June 25 in Washington against the
MLB-worst Nationals, Smoltz lasted just five innings and coughed up five earned
runs on seven hits as the Sox lost 9-3. The long-time Brave showed some signs of
improvement on June 11 as he allowed just one run on four hits in five innings
of work for his first victory of the season. However, Smoltz would go 1-3 with
an 11.25 ERA in his next four outings in which he allowed 35 hits and 25 runs
over 20 innings.

In 21 seasons, Smoltz has a 212-152 record with 154 saves and a 3.32 ERA. The
Michigan native won the Cy Young Award in 1996 after going 24-8 with s 2.94 ERA.
In 2002, he notched a league-most 55 saves.