KTAR is reporting that Melvin Mora has been released by the Arizona Diamondbacks. That loud noise you now hear is a combination of cheers and sighs of relief from SnakePit readers. A corresponding roster move will be made before Friday's game in Oakland.
Melvin Mora was signed to a 1-year, $2.35M contract in December. He was a two-time All Star with the Baltimore Orioles and his upside was said to be his on-base percentage (which was at its high of .419 back in 2004). Last year with the Colorado Rockies he hit .285 AVG /.358 OBP /.421 SLG but this season he was only hitting .230/.246/.278 in 41 games as a Diamondback. He was frequently injured (as evidenced by only appearing in half of Arizona's games thus far) and recently Ryan Roberts began receiving a majority of the playing time at 3B.
This release frees up a space on the 40-man roster for an infielder from the minor leagues. Unless the Diamondbacks' front office makes a trade, third baseman Cody Ransom seems the most likely candidate from AAA Reno. Geoff Blum's return from the disabled list is also an option, as is picking up another corner infielder or outfielder. Nick Piecoro tweeted that he's heard rumblings about Sean Burroughs but the team is taking another day to decide.