"The Pirates released Ross Ohlendorf late Wednesday night, around the same time they learned that Derrek Lee declined their offer of salary arbitration;

Ohlendorf, 29, struggled with right shoulder injuries in each of the past two seasons that kept him inactive for several months. When he returned last season, he went 1-3 with an 8.15 ERA.

Ohlendorf won an arbitration case last offseason and earned $2.025 million, and he was eligible for arbitration again this winter. Arbitration rules stipulate that Ohlendorf could not earn less than 80 percent of his previous salary, or about $1.62 million, making him too expensive.

The Pirates acquired Ohlendorf in 2008 in a trade with the Yankees, along with Daniel McCutchen, Jose Tabata and Jeff Karstens, in exchange for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. He went 11-10 with a 3.92 ERA in 2009, but 1-11 in 2010. A right shoulder strain kept him out of action for most of the second half of the 2010 season and a good chunk of the 2011 season.

When he returned, his fastball was not effective. He allowed 35 earned runs in 38 2/3 innings."