ATLANTA (AP) - Left-hander Chuck James, expected to miss next season while recovering from shoulder surgery in August, became a free agent Friday when the Atlanta Braves failed to offer a 2009 contract.
The 27-year-old James can still sign with the Braves.Atlanta offered contracts to other players eligible for arbitration: outfielders Jeff Francoeur and Matt Diaz, reliever Mike Gonzalez, and infielders Kelly Johnson, Omar Infante and Casey Kotchman.
James was 19-12 with a 3.73 ERA in his first 39 starts but was 5-7 with a 7.26 ERA in his last 16.
