Rick Ankiel is ticketed for the minors, Paul Byrd is headed to the disabled list, and the Detroit Tigers cut loose costly Damion Easley.

Easley became the most expensive player cut in baseball history Friday when the Tigers released him with $14.3 million still owed on his contract.

The 33-year-old second baseman is in the fourth season of a $29.9 million, five-year deal. Detroit must pay him $6.5 million this year, $6.5 million in 2004 and a $1.3 million buyout of an $8 million team option for 2005.

“It’s a very tough decision for everybody involved,” Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said. “He’s a quality individual. He’s done a lot for the organization. It’s a lot of money.”

Easley was an All-Star in 1998, when he had 27 homers and 100 RBIs. But his production tailed off the last three years, and he lost his starting job this spring to youngster Ramon Santiago.

“It’s definitely not a proud day, I can say that,” Easley said. “It’s somewhat of a relief to know what my fate was. I knew it wouldn’t be able to work out. I knew that 100 percent they were going to let me go.”

Ankiel, still struggling with his control, was optioned to Double-A Tennessee by the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Atlanta Braves placed Byrd on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore right elbow, retroactive to March 21. Byrd, slated to be the team’s fourth starter, can be activated April 5.

The right-hander, who signed with Atlanta as a free agent in the offseason, allowed one earned run and three hits in three innings Friday night against Cleveland Class-A minor leaguers.

It was only Byrd’s third outing of spring training. He strained his groin early, then hurt his elbow by compensating for the other injury.

Byrd remained in Florida when the Braves left for Atlanta on Thursday.

“He had a little bit of pain, but nothing he can’t work with,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “He’ll pitch in two or three more days and stretch it out to three or four innings, then do it again. After that, we’ll see where we are.”

Without Byrd, who went 17-11 for Kansas City last season, rookie Horacio Ramirez probably will join Greg Maddux, Mike Hampton, Russ Ortiz and Jason Marquis in the rotation.

Indians 6, Reds 1

At Cincinnati, Matt Lawton and Milton Bradley hit the first homers at Great American Ball Park, and Cleveland looked more at home than Cincinnati in the stadium’s debut. Austin Kearns homered off Danys Baez for the Reds.

Yankees 2, Phillies 0

At Clearwater, Fla., Mike Mussina struck out seven over five innings, and Bubba Trammell homered in the final major league spring training game at Jack Russell Stadium.

Mets 9, Orioles 2

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Roberto Alomar hit a grand slam, and Cliff Floyd added a two-run shot for New York. Al Leiter pitched two-hit ball for six innings.

Marlins 8, Expos 4

At Jupiter, Fla., Ivan Rodriguez drove in three runs for Florida to give him a .381 batting average and a team-leading 18 RBIs this spring. Vladimir Guerrero hit a 498-foot homer.

Red Sox 4, Braves 0

At Atlanta, Derek Lowe closed out a shaky spring by pitching one-hit ball for six innings as Boston beat the Braves. Lowe, who went 21-8 with a 2.58 ERA last season, entered with an 8.36 ERA in five previous spring starts.

Pirates 4, Tigers 0

At Lakeland, Fla., Pittsburgh’s Randall Simon went 3-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, and Kip Wells allowed one hit in 42¼3 sharp innings.

Blue Jays 4, Devil Rays 3

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Mark Hendrickson had another impressive outing, and Eric Hinske hit a two-run homer for Toronto.

Astros 6, White Sox 3

At Houston, Wade Miller pitched six solid innings, and Lance Berkman hit a two-run single for the Astros.

Beavers 3, Padres 2, 10 inn.

At Portland, Ore., Oliver Perez pitched six strong innings, but San Diego lost to its Triple-A affiliate.