Blue Jays dump Tomo Ohka

Tomo Ohka's stint with the Toronto Blue Jays ended Monday, withthe Jays releasing the right-handed Japanese pitcher outright after failing to trade him.

Ohka was designated for assignment on June 7, after losing his job inthe pitching rotation to Josh Towers.The Jays then had 10 days to trade Ohka, send him to the minors or let him go after that move.

General manager J.P. Ricciardi signed Ohka during the off-season to an incentive-laden deal, hoping he would recover from a shoulder injury and develop into a dependable fifth starter.

But Ohka struggled, posting a 2-5 record with a 5.79 earned-run average. In 56 innings of work,he allowed 68 hits, 10 home runs and 22 walks.

The emergence of youngsters Shaun Marcum and Dustin McGowan also made Ohka expendable.

With a 33-35 record entering Monday's play, the Jaysare in third in the American League East, 11games behind the division-leading Boston Red Sox, with the New York Yankees second.

Toronto opens a three-game series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.