TORONTO -- The short-lived Franklin Morales era in Toronto has officially come to an end after the Blue Jays announced on Tuesday that he was released from his contract.
The move hardly came as a surprise after Morales was designated for assignment on Aug. 1. Toronto had the option of exploring a possible trade, but there appeared to be very little interest.
Morales signed a $2 million contract with the Blue Jays late in Spring Training, but he made only five appearances. He experienced a drop in velocity and was on the disabled list from the first week of April until the middle of July with what the club described as shoulder fatigue.