Rays Decline Option On Former Pilgrim Star Dan Wheeler

Rays decline club options on Wheeler, Aybar

      ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – The Tampa Bay Rays have declined a
$4.25 million option on right-handed relief pitcher Dan Wheeler and
a $2.2 million option on infielder Willy Aybar.
      Wheeler gets a $1 million buyout and Aybar a $275,000 buyout.
Both become free agents.
      Aybar batted .230 with six homers and 43 RBIs in 100 games this
year. His 10 RBIs as a pinch-hitter this season were the most by an
AL player since 2004.
      Wheeler is a veteran of 11 major league seasons who has spent
parts of seven seasons with the Rays. He went 2-4 with three saves
and a 3.35 ERA in 64 games in 2010.
      Tampa Bay also selected the contract of utilityman Elliot
Johnson from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
      
      (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)