Santana choses to go for free agency

Veteran right-hander Ervin Santana elected free agency on Monday instead of accepting an outright assignment to the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Santana, 36, was designated for assignment three days earlier after a rocky start to the season. He went 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA in three starts, allowing 14 earned runs on 19 hits in 13 1/3 innings.

The White Sox will not be on the hook for the remainder of Santana's salary, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. He signed a minor league deal with Chicago during the offseason and made the Opening Day roster out of spring training. In 15 seasons in the big leagues, Santana is 149-127 with a 4.09 ERA. The two-time All-Star has pitched for the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins and White Sox. He is a two-time All-Star.