Putz, Pavano file for free agency; Twins exercise Cuddyer 2011 option

Associated Press

Last update: November 7, 2009 - 5:32 PM

NEW YORK - Mets reliever J.J. Putz and Twins pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency Saturday.

Putz became a free agent one day after New York declined his $9.1 million option and chose to pay a $1 million buyout.

A total of 120 players have filed for free agency since the World Series, and about 60 more are potentially eligible to file by the Nov. 19 deadline.

Minnesota exercised a $10.5 million option for 2011 on outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who hit a career-high 32 homers last season and had 94 RBIs. The option is part of a contract Cuddyer signed in 2008 that will pay him $33.5 million over four years. If the Twins had declined the option, they would have owed a $1 million buyout.

The NL champion Phillies said Saturday three players will have operations in the next week.

Closer Brad Lidge will have surgery Wednesday to remove a loose body from his right elbow, and team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti will evaluate his right flexor/pronator tendon.

On Monday, outfielder Raul Ibanez will have a sports hernia repaired and left-hander Scott Eyre will have loose bodies removed from his left elbow.

(This version CORRECTS SUBS 3rd graf to correct to Nov. 19 sted 10)

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