Padres release outfielder Edmonds

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The San Diego Padres released former All-Star Jim Edmonds on Friday after the 37-year-old center fielder struggled during the first month of the season.

Edmonds, four times an All-Star during previous years with the Angels of the American League and the National League Cardinals, was hitting just .178 with 24 strikeouts in 90 at-bats in his 16th major league season.

"It's just not happening for him statistically," Padres manager Bud Black told reporters before Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Braves that left the Padres in last place in the NL West with a 12-23 record, Baseball Web site mlb.com reported.

The Padres acquired Edmonds in December for minor league infielder David Freese in a trade with the Cardinals, with whom Edmonds played eight seasons and reached two World Series.

San Diego recalled outfielder Jody Gerut from Triple-A Portland to take Edmonds' spot on the roster. Gerut was hitting .308 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 27 games.

In another move, the Padres claimed left-handed pitcher Sean Henn off waivers from the Yankees, mlb.com reported.

Edmonds, still due $6 million this season from the Padres in addition to $2 million assumed by St Louis, began the year on the disabled list with a strained calf after being limited the previous two campaigns with various injuries.

"He's not playing to how we have seen Jimmy play in the past," Black said.

Edmonds, winner of eight Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess, has a career batting average of .271 including five seasons over .300.

The left-handed hitter has 363 career home runs, twice slugging 42 in a season for the Cardinals.

(Writing by Larry Fine; editing by Miles Evans)