Yankees cut Fukudome from Triple-A squad

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome was released from his minor league contract by the Class AAA Scranton Wilkes/Barre Yankees, the team announced Monday.

The 35-year-old outfielder began the season with the Chicago White Sox. Used primarily as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement, Fukudome batted .171 in 24 games before going on the disabled list in June with a rib injury. The White Sox released him on June 28. He signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees in July, but was never called up to the parent club.

Scranton, which qualified for the International League playoffs, released Fukudome on the final day of its regular season.

Fukudome, the 2006 Central League MVP and a member of Japan's two World Baseball Classic title-winning teams, has a career major league average of .258 in 596 major league games, mostly with the Chicago Cubs. He finished the 2011 season with the Cleveland Indians.

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Okajima headed to Triple-A squad

Boston — Boston Red Sox left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket, the Red Sox said Tuesday.

Okajima, who was designated for assignment last week, will join up with the team on Thursday.

"No teams came in for me and I will stay here in the minors," Okajima said in a blog entry on his website.

The 35-year-old last pitched in the majors on May 9 against the Minnesota Twins and is 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA in seven appearances this season.

Okajima started the season in the minors for the first time after losing a tight race in spring training. He was called up by the Red Sox on April 18.

Okajima played a significant role in the Red Sox's run to the 2007 World Series title by posting a 2.22 ERA in a team-high 66 regular-season games.

He has pitched in at least 56 games in each of the past four seasons.

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