Jose Paniagua, who was returning to the mound for the first time in a year, is let go by the White Sox.

CHICAGO (AP) – The Chicago White Sox released Jose Paniagua on Wednesday, a day after he made an obscene gesture at the plate umpire as he left the field.

“It was a decision we felt we had to make,” White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said before Chicago’s game against Minnesota.

“You have to excuse a certain amount of failures out there when you haven’t pitched in a year,” Williams added. “What’s inexcusable are the actions that happened afterward. That’s not what we stand for.”

With the White Sox leading the Twins 8-2 on Tuesday night, Paniagua came in to relieve in the ninth, his first appearance in the major leagues in a year.

He gave up four runs, three hits and a walk in just one-third of an inning, and was apparently upset with some of the calls made by plate umpire Mark Carlson.

Paniagua was still arguing as he walked back to the dugout, and was seen making an obscene gesture in Carlson’s direction. The White Sox went on to win 8-6, extending their lead over Minnesota in the AL Central.

“We obviously don’t need things like that portraying an image that’s really not the Chicago White Sox,” manager Jerry Manuel said. “We’re just trying to do the right thing.”

Though the White Sox didn’t announce Paniagua’s release until Wednesday, his fate was sealed Tuesday night.

Shortly after the game ended, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf removed Paniagua’s picture from the wall of team photos.

“The loss of composure at a crucial time,” Williams said. “We just can’t tolerate that.”

After making his debut with the Montreal Expos in 1996, Paniagua spent seven seasons with the Expos, Seattle and Detroit. Before signing with the White Sox as a free agent Aug. 27, he’d last pitched in the majors with the Tigers in the 2002 season.

He tried out with the Boston Red Sox this spring, then signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but didn’t make their organization.

AP-ES-09-10-03 2032EDT