Tigers Sell Relief Pitcher Kida to Japanese Team

The Detroit Tigers announced Thursday that right-hander Masao Kida cleared unconditional waivers and was sold to the Orix BlueWave in the pitcher’s home country of Japan.

Kida, 31, ended his Tiger career with a 1-0 record and 6.42 earned-run average in 50 relief appearances. He was 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA in two games with the Tigers this season.

In 21 appearances with the Tigers’ triple-A Toledo affiliate this year, Kida was 2-1 with seven saves and a 2.16 ERA.

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New York Yankee second baseman Chuck Knoblauch underwent an MRI of his sore left forearm and it revealed inflammation. He was treated with a cortisone injection and listed as day-to-day. Knoblauch was injured on a tag play involving Cleveland’s Kenny Lofton on May 21 and has missed five games because of the injury.

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Continuing to retool their injury-ravaged pitching staff, the Indians purchased the contract of right-hander Kane Davis from the minors and optioned left-hander Mark Watson. . . . Right-hander Kevin Hodges was optioned from Seattle to triple-A Tacoma, and the Mariners recalled infielder-outfielder Charles Gipson. . . . The Tigers signed pitcher Matt Wheatland, the eighth overall selection in Monday’s amateur draft. Wheatland was 11-1 with a 1.94 ERA for Rancho Bernardo High in San Diego.