SAN DIEGO (AP) -Center fielder Jim Edmonds was released Friday by the San Diego Padres after his batting average dipped to .178 - more than 100 points below his lifetime average - and he struggled to track down fly balls.

The Padres knew they were taking a gamble when they acquired the oft-injured Edmonds from St. Louis in December. Few people, though, could have guessed the 37-year-old's stay would be this short.

Edmonds hasn't been the only player to struggle as the Padres have fallen to 12-23 (.343), the worst record in the major leagues. But his dropoff has been dramatic.

An eight-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star, Edmonds strained his right calf in early March and started the season on the disabled list before being activated on April 5. A lifetime .286 hitter, he was just 16-for-90 in 26 games, with one home run and six RBIs.

Neither Edmonds nor general manager Kevin Towers immediately returned phone calls or e-mails seeking comment.

While Edmonds once made spectacular catches while with the Cardinals and Angels, he clearly lost a step or two and simply couldn't catch up to fly balls.

The Padres acquired Edmonds and $2 million from the Cardinals in mid-December for minor league third baseman David Freese.

The deal came about quickly after the Padres were spurned by three outfielders in less than a week, including their own free agents, center fielder Mike Cameron and left fielder Milton Bradley. They were outbid for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

The Padres called up outfielder Jody Gerut from Triple-A Portland to take Edmonds' roster spot. Gerut hit .308 five home runs and 18 RBIs in 27 games with the Beavers.

Gerut made San Diego's opening day roster as a non-roster invitee and went 1-for-6 with a stolen base in four games before being optioned to the Beavers.

San Diego also claimed left-handed pitcher Sean Henn off waivers from the New York Yankees.

Henn (1-0) gave up an earned run in 10 2-3 innings over eight relief appearances this season between Triple-A Tampa and Class-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He is expected to join the Padres on Saturday.