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Burrell designated for assignment; ex-Phil was hitting .202 for Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays designated Pat Burrell for assignment before Saturday's game against Seattle and selected the contract of infielder Hank Blalock from Triple A Durham.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays designated Pat Burrell for assignment before Saturday's game against Seattle and selected the contract of infielder Hank Blalock from Triple A Durham.

Burrell has struggled since signing with the Rays before the start of the 2009 season, after he left the Phillies via free agency. The designated hitter hit just .202 with two homers and 13 RBI in 24 games this season.

Tampa Bay will be responsible for the remainder of Burrell's $9 million salary in the second season of a $16 million, 2-year contract. If he is released, a team that signs him would pay just a prorated share of the $400,000 minimum. In the unlikely event he is traded, Burrell would receive a $200,000 bonus.