WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals have cut reliever Jonathan Papelbon, who rarely pitched after the NL East leaders recently traded for new closer Mark Melancon.Papelbon was released Saturday. The Nationals needed a roster spot to promote righty Reynaldo Lopez to start against Atlanta.There wasnt a real fit anymore, Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. Didnt know where to use him.Papelbon, ninth on the career saves list with 368, only threw 2 2/3 innings after his final blown save on July 26. The Nationals got Melancon a few days later from Pittsburgh.The 35-year-old Papelbon, suspended by the Nationals last September after grabbing NL MVP Bryce Harper by the throat during a dugout skirmish, is now a free agent and can sign with any team.The Nationals are responsible for the remainder of his $11 million salary this year.Papelbon has converted 19 of 22 save chances this season, and is 2-4 with a 4.37 ERA.The six-time All-Star had trouble in July, giving up eight runs and seven hits in three outings, before the Nationals got Melancon from the Pirates. Melancon immediately took over the closers role.Washington acquired the fiery Papelbon in July 2015 to replace Drew Storen as its closer. The Nationals, favored by many to make the World Series, faltered down the stretch and missed the playoffs, and Papelbons altercation with Harper became a symbol for the teams frustration.Once the Nats got Melancon, Papelbon had no set spot in their bullpen.Baker called Papelbon a professional in response to the demotion. Teammates pushed back against any notion of the recent situation or last seasons incident with Harper causing locker room issues.Hes not a distraction whatsoever, ace Max Scherzer said. He comes in to play every single day, he works his absolute tail off and he competes on the mound for us.All that stuff, last year ... just a media circus. We were 100 percent behind him. We understood all his intentions. He was great for our team. He was great for everybody in this clubhouse. To sit here and say hes a bad teammate or anything like that, its garbage to me, he said.Papelbon made his major league debut with Boston in 2005. In 2007, he pitched 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the postseason and helped the Red Sox win the World Series.He was a great teammate. He was popular with his teammates, Baker said. We wish Pap the best and he wished us the best. He wanted us to win (the World Series). Those were his parting words. Glen Wesley Jersey Large .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Hurricanes Jerseys China . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. http://www.customhurricanesjersey.com/custom-glen-wesley-jersey-large-75a.html . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Custom Hurricanes Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Custom Hurricanes Jerseys . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Hakeem Rogers pumped in eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 28 points to propel Tennessee Tech to a 98-51 win over NAIA-member Crowleys Ridge on Sunday.Rogers finished 9 for 15 from the field and his eight made 3s also was a career best. Aleksa Jugovic and Markell Henderson added 13 points apiece for Tennessee Tech (4-6). Colton Blevins got his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds and JaCardo Hawkins had 10 points.Tennessee Tech scored 18 of the gamees first 24 points and never trailed.dddddddddddd In the second half, Rogers hit a 3 with 4:41 left to give Tennessee Tech a 40-point lead and the Golden Eagles continued to pad it down the stretch.Crowleys Ridge emptied the bench, giving 16 players time on the court. Hunter Turner was the only Pioneer to reach double figures, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting. ' ' '