[Illusion]

SEATTLE -- Kevin Brown was moved to the 60-day disabled list Thursday by the New York Yankees, a move that in effect ends his season and perhaps his major league career.

The 40-year-old right-hander, bothered by back problems, has been on the DL 14 times in his career, including three times this year. He went back on the DL on July 28 with a lumbar strain, a move retroactive to July 24.

Brown, a five-time All-Star, was 4-7 with a 6.50 ERA in 13 starts this season. He has been on the DL 10 times since December 1998, when he was given a $105 million, seven-year contract by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was 41-19 in his first three years after signing the first $100 million deal in baseball history but went 31-26 in the final four seasons. After his trade to the Yankees in December 2003, Brown was 14-13 in 35 starts.

Before Thursday's series finale with the Seattle Mariners, Yankees manager Joe Torre wanted Brown to get healthy before even thinking about pitching again.

"You just don't want to force the issue," Torre said.

Brown's roster spot was given to Ramiro Mendoza, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Columbus. Mendoza, who had shoulder surgery in January, was 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in eight games with the Clippers, allowing two runs -- one earned -- and four hits in 12 innings.

He was a member of four World Series championship teams with the Yankees from 1996-00 and got a World Series ring with the 2004 Boston Red Sox.

With active rosters expanding to 40, New York also recalled left-hander Wayne Franklin and catcher Wil Neves from Columbus, and activated outfielder Ruben Sierra, who had been sidelined with a strained left hamstring since July 19.

[Illusion]

Geez, what a shocker. Brown is washed up.

[Razz]

Glad to see Sierra is coming back. He is really important to the Yanks.

[Senator7]

Has Brown done anything for the Yankees? He ranks right up there on the list of biggest mistakes made by the Yanks.

Senator 7