ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Right-hander Hideo Nomo was released Monday by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Nomo, who will turn 37 next month, has said he won't pitch in Japan if he isn't signed by another major-league team. He went 5-8 with a 7.24 ERA in 19 starts.
The first Japanese-born player to appear in the majors after playing at the top level in Japan, Nomo has a record of 123-109 in a career that began when he was the 1995 NL rookie of the year for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nomo had been designated for assignment July 16, one day after lasting just 2 2/3 innings in an 11-6 loss to Toronto. He allowed seven runs and nine hits with three walks in what turned out to be his final Tampa Bay appearance.
"We enjoyed having Hideo here," Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella said. "He is really a true professional ... a good influence with his work ethic on the young pitchers that we have here. It got to the point really where the whole focus here has been young. We're trying to develop young pitchers."
The Devil Rays also reinstated pitcher Doug Waechter from the 15-day disabled to start Monday night's game against Boston. He has been out with tendinitis in his right index finger.
To make room for Waechter, infielder Fernando Cortez was optioned to Triple-A Durham.
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