Astros released LHP Zach Duke. Duke allowed 10 runs in 3 1/3 innings to the Braves on Sunday, ending any chance he had of cracking the Astros' 25-man roster. He'll try to latch on with another team.

Zach Duke was lit up for 10 runs in 3 1/3 innings by the Braves on Sunday. It's hard to believe the Astros are still giving Duke starts as much as he's struggled this spring. It suggests they're not giving much thought to carrying him as a reliever if he doesn't make the rotation, and there's certainly no reason to believe he's going to make the rotation. He's 0-3 with an 11.30 ERA.

Astros signed LHP Zach Duke to a minor league contract. The deal also includes an invite to spring training. Duke spent time on the disabled list and didn't perform for Arizona this past season, posting a 4.93 ERA and 32/19 K/BB ratio over 76 2/3 innings. He'll compete for a rotation spot in spring training but will probably only have a real shot if Wandy Rodriguez and/or Brett Myers are traded.

Diamondbacks declined Zach Duke's $5.5 million club option for 2012. Another no-brainer, Duke will receive a $750,000 buyout and hit free agency. The 28-year-old left-hander was a huge (although not unexpected) disappointment with Arizona this season, posting a 4.93 ERA and 32/19 K/BB ratio over 76 2/3 innings. He may struggle to get a guaranteed contract this winter.

The Diamondbacks have removed Zach Duke from the starting rotation. Barry Enright will be called up from the minors to take his spot next Tuesday against the Brewers. Duke, 28, has an ugly 5.47 ERA over nine starts with the D-Backs this season. Not exactly what Kevin Towers was hoping for when he signed him this winter to a one-year, $4.25 million contract with an option for 2012.

Zach Duke allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings of work on Sunday, falling to 2-4 in Arizona's 4-2 loss to the Cardinals. He struck out one and walked one, with his biggest mistake coming in the third, where he served up a two-run homer to David Freese. Through nine starts and 51 innings, Duke is the owner of a 5.47 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. That's no way to stay in a rotation long term.