Infielder Ruben Tejada released by New York Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) – Infielder Ruben Tejada has been released by the New York Mets, who decided he was superfluous.

New York announced the moved Wednesday. Tejada will receive $491,803, which is 30 days’ termination pay, rather than the $3 million salary under the contract he agreed to on Jan. 15.

Tejada signed with the Mets in 2006 and spent parts of six big league seasons with New York. But after the Mets offered him a contract on Dec. 2, they signed free-agent shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and acquired second baseman Neil Walker from Pittsburgh. With Wilmer Flores also on the roster, Tejada’s future with the team became uncertain.

He hit .261 with 23 doubles, three homers and 28 RBIs last year. His season ended when the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley broke Tejada’s right leg with a takeout slide in the NL Division Series.