Indians Release Austin Kearns

The Cleveland Indians announced this morning that outfielder Austin Kearns has been released, per a press release from the team.

Kearns, 31, came into the year expecting to be a key part of Cleveland's outfield rotation after a resurgent 2010 season, but he struggled pretty badly in 57 games with the Indians this year before the club designated him for assignment earlier this month. Rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A, the Indians have opted to release Kearns and make him a free agent.

He may catch on with some team, but Kearns hasn't been a solid regular since 2007, and he's now looking at three brutal seasons in a four-season span.