Cleveland Indians Release Austin Kearns

After being designated for assignment last week, Austin Kearns' days with the Tribe are over. In a season that saw a DUI charge and the second lowest batting average of his career (after a paltry .195 with Washington in 174 AB in 2009), Kearns was never able to recapture the stroke that made him one of the Indians most important hitters a season ago.

AK26 had just 7 RBI on the season in 174 PA this year with 2 HR, and never showed any kind of consistency, leading to cries since May to cut him and his team-friendly one-year contract.

A pleasant surprise in Cleveland's disappointing 2010 season, Kearns batted .272 with 8 HR, 42 RBI and a .354 OBP. He was traded to the New York Yankees at the deadline for Zach McAllister, who has made one start with the big league club and has a 3.27 ERA and 107 Ks in 134.2 IP this season for Columbus.