AL Wire Notes | Thomas joins unemployed sluggers' list

Don't expect the Toronto Blue Jays to replace Frank Thomas with a slugger with even better credentials.

The Blue Jays released their slumping designated hitter on Sunday, a day after the 19-year veteran became angry at being benched.

But agents for Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa say their clients are not being pursued by Toronto.

Bonds, 43, baseball's all-time leader in home runs, is unemployed with 762 homers. So is Sosa, 39, who has 609 homers.

"I've had numerous conversations with Toronto," said Jeff Borris, Bonds' agent. "But they do not appear to have any interest."

Said Adam Katz, Sosa's agent: "I have not heard from Toronto."

Thomas, 39, has 516 career home runs. He was hitting .167 with three homers and 11 runs batted in. The "Big Hurt" also started slowly last season but wound up batting .277 with 26 homers and 95 RBI.

"I don't know that we have the luxury of waiting two to three months for somebody to kick in," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said, "because we can't let this league or this division get away from us."

Toronto must pay Thomas $8 million this year in the final year of his two-year contract. He would have had a $10 million option guaranteed in 2009 if he had made 376 plate appearances.

Saturday, Thomas said the Blue Jays benched him to prevent him from reaching that mark.

"It's pretty obvious," Thomas said. "Sixty at-bats isn't enough to make that decision. I'm angry, I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this."

The Blue Jays plan to split DH duties between Matt Stairs and Rod Barajas.

Baltimore: Ex-Mariner Adam Jones made three outstanding catches in center field against the Yankees, including a diving stab of a line drive by Derek Jeter.

Cleveland: Manager Eric Wedge is running out of patience with his team's anemic offense. "We've got to figure this out," he said. "There are no excuses."

Detroit: The banged-up Tigers were without DH Gary Sheffield (sore shoulder) and 2B Placido Polanco (stiff back) against Toronto.

Kansas City: RHP Hideo Nomo (18.69 ERA) was designated for assignment, perhaps ending the 39-year-old's career. He has two no-hitters in 12 years in the majors.

Minnesota: The Twins' .356 slugging percentage is better than only Cleveland's (.352) and Kansas City's (.354) in the American League.

New York: Reliever Joba Chamberlain allowed an earned run against Baltimore, only his second in 30-1/3 career innings.

Oakland: SS Bobby Crosby's 8-for-13 series against Kansas City lifted his average to .313.

Texas: RHP Kevin Millwood is winless in his last 12 road starts, losing nine.

Toronto: 3B Scott Rolen (broken finger) will begin a rehabilitation assignment in Florida this week.

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