NEW YORK (AP) – Daniel Cabrera has been cut by the Washington Nationals after starting the season 0-5 with a 5.85 ERA.

The right-hander was designated for assignment before Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets, a day before his 28th birthday. Washington has 10 days to trade, release or send him outright to the minors, a move Cabrera said Tuesday he probably would refuse.

Bumped from the starting rotation, he made his second relief outing in 156 major league appearances on Monday and got just two outs while walking the bases loaded.

He agreed to a $2.6 million, one-year contract with Washington in late December, after he became a free agent when Baltimore refused to make an offer. The 6-foot-7 pitcher went 48-59 with a 5.05 ERA in five seasons with the Orioles, but has had four straight losing seasons after going 12-8 as a rookie in 2004.

Washington filled the roster spot by recalling catcher Luke Montz from Double-A Harrisburg. He batted a combined .158 with two homers and eight RBIs at Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse.

AP-ES-05-27-09 1403EDT


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