The Associated Press

DETROIT - Damion Easley became the most expensive player cut loose in baseball history when the Detroit Tigers released him Friday with more than $14 million still owed on his contract.

The 33-year-old infielder is in the fourth season of a $28.6 million, five-year contract. The Tigers must pay him $6.5 million this year, $6.5 million in 2004 and a $1.3 million buyout of an $8 million team option for 2005.

Detroit obtained Easley in a July 1997 trade with the Angels and he was an AL All-Star the following season.

Easley was Detroit's regular second baseman through 2001, but injuries limited him to just 85 games last year, when he hit .224 with eight homers and 30 RBI in 304 at-bats. Easley hit .256 (10-for-39) this spring with three homers and five RBI.

Manager Alan Trammell said last week that 23-year-old Ramon Santiago would be the Tigers' everyday second baseman this season.

The record for the most money owed to a released player was set just last Saturday, when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays cut Greg Vaughn, who is guaranteed $9.25 million this year.

In other moves Friday, the Tigers optioned outfielder Andres Torres to Triple-A Toledo. Outfielder George Lombard was claimed off waivers earlier in the day by Tampa Bay.

CARDINALS: Rick Ankiel was optioned to Double-A Tennessee, delaying his return to the major leagues.

Ankiel, being converted from a starter to a reliever, was inconsistent this spring in his bid to earn a spot in the Cardinals' bullpen.

YANKEES: The YES Network and Cablevision walked away from their agreement, leaving 3 million homes without the New York Yankees on television for the start of a second straight season.

Each side blamed the other, alleging last-minute maneuvers to change the terms of a one-year agreement announced March 12.

ROCKIES: Pitchers rejoice! The Colorado Rockies are firing up their humidor for a second season.

The major leagues' only climate-controlled baseball storage chamber was constructed last spring to store balls at 40 percent humidity, preventing them from drying out and shrinking in Denver's arid climate and mile-high elevation.

"It really made a difference," Rockies reliever Todd Jones said. "The balls didn't dry out; they weren't as slick.

OPENING DAY: Major-league teams will pay tribute to the U.S. armed forces and the nation by having "God Bless America" sung during the seventh-inning stretch of all home openers.

While the song had been part of all games since the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, it will be sung this season only at the home openers, Sunday games and holidays, the commissioner's office said Friday.

DIAMONDBACKS: Eight Arizona Diamondbacks players or coaches, rather than the entire team, will sign autographs for fans during a 10-minute period before each home night game this season.

The Diamondbacks announced the revised policy after meetings between players and management.

MARLINS: Florida released 35-year-old outfielder Al Martin after he refused to sign a form that would have given the club advance permission to demote him to the minor leagues.

The move means Gerald Williams will be the team's fifth outfielder.

ASTROS: Right-hander Brandon Puffer was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans as Houston prepared to get its active roster down to the 25-man limit.

The team plans to purchase the contract of left-hander Bruce Chen from Triple-A New Orleans following tonight's exhibition finale.

INDIANS: Right-hander Aaron Myette went on the 15-day disabled list, giving left-hander Billy Traber a spot in the bullpen.

RED SOX: Boston placed pitchers Robert Person and Matt White on the 15-day disabled list and claimed right-hander Dicky Gonzalez off waivers from Montreal.