Cubs officially release Silva By Sports Network

Mesa, AZ – The Chicago Cubs made it official on Sunday and released pitcher Carlos Silva.

On Saturday, Silva was informed by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry that he would not be part of the team's 25-man roster and the right-hander then said he would decline a minor league assignment.

Silva was granted his unconditional release on Sunday and is a free agent after just one year in Chicago.

In 21 starts for the Cubs last season, Silva posted a record of 10-6 with a 4.22 earned run average. He began the year with an 8-0 mark, but missed most of the last two months because of an abnormal heart rate that required a surgical procedure.

This spring, Silva was roughed up for 27 runs -- 21 earned -- on 32 hits in just 17 1/3 innings.

Silva, who will turn 32 years old next month, owns a career record of 70-70 with a 4.68 ERA in 316 games, including 180 starts, over nine years with Philadelphia, Minnesota, Seattle and the Cubs.