Nats cut loose Stairs

Forty-three-year-old Matt Stairs has been released by the Washington Nationals after batting just .154 with no home runs in 56 games this season. The outfielder-first baseman was put on waivers last week. He became expendable after the Nationals obtained outfielder Jonny Gomes from Cincinnati. Stairs, a Canadian native, began his career with the Washington organization when it was based in Montreal in 1992. He also played for Boston, Oakland, the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Texas, Detroit, Toronto, Philadelphia and San Diego. He helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series.