Former Top Prospect Released

Brien Taylor, once destined for stardom by the New York Yankees, was cut by the Seattle Mariners after failing to get past extended spring training in Arizona.

“We just didn’t see what we wanted to,” Seattle assistant player development director Greg Hunter said. “He showed some arm strength, but just no consistency.”

Taylor, 27, made big news in 1991 when he got a $1.55 million bonus, then a record for a draft pick, when he was signed by the Yankees.

Taylor, however, has struggled since undergoing reconstructive surgery on his pitching shoulder in December 1993.

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Baltimore rescinded its decision to option pitcher Rocky Coppinger to triple-A Rochester, less than 12 hours after the right-hander criticized management for sending him to the minor leagues.

Baseball rules require that Coppinger must pass through revokable waivers to be optioned to the minors because he made his major-league debut more than three years ago.