BASEBALL NOTES : Braves Release 21-Year Veteran Darrell Evans

The Atlanta Braves have released first baseman Darrell Evans, possibly ending the veteran infielder’s career.

Evans, 42, was told of his release Wednesday in a 10-minute meeting with Manager Russ Nixon. The team opted to keep utility infielder Alexis Infante, who was acquired Nov. 20 from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Team officials invited Evans to remain in camp until Saturday, when the Braves return to Atlanta for Tuesday’s season opener.

Evans, a veteran of 21 years, said the prospects of continuing his career with another team seem dim.

“It’s happened to a lot of my friends and it’s not easy,” he said. “I guess when it slaps you in the face you don’t know how to feel. I don’t know what to expect because I’ve never been in this situation before.”

During his career, Evans had 8,973 at-bats, four seasons with 30 home runs or more, and a world championship with the Detroit Tigers in 1984.

Evans signed with the Braves as a minor league free agent in December, 1988. He batted .207 last season, with 39 RBIs and 11 home runs.

Veteran first baseman Bill Buckner, trying to make the Red Sox as a non-roster player, had a double and three singles Wednesday, raising his spring average to .391, in Boston’s 8-0 exhibition victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Pascual Perez made his spring debut for the New York Yankees and went three innings--42 pitches --in a 10-5 loss to Atlanta. Perez walked two, struck out two and allowed one hit--a three-run homer by Jeff Treadway.