Mariners release Kevin Correia

The Seattle Mariners have no place for Kevin Correia in their vaunted pitching staff.

Correia, an All-Star in 2011, received a minor-league deal with the Mariners earlier this month but was released Monday after stumbling to a disastrous 16.88 ERA over three relief appearance in the Cactus League.

Reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday following his brutal audition with the Mariners, Correia planned to opt out of his contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, but was preemptively released by the club Monday.

The 34-year-old is now free to sign with any team willing to take him, and he reportedly generated interest this winter from the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies. Correia, though, managed a 5.44 ERA (71 ERA+) over 154 innings last season and posted the third-worst strikeout rate in the majors (min. 100 IP).