Right-hander Woody Williams was put on unconditional release waivers yesterday by the Houston Astros, who owe the pitcher $6.5 million.

The 41-year-old was 8-15 with a 5.27 ERA last season and had an 11.32 ERA in spring training this year. He gave up five runs and five hits in three innings during Friday's 10-0 exhibition loss to Detroit.

Williams signed a $12.5 million, two-year contract with the Astros before last season and is owed a $6.25 million salary for this year and a $250,000 buyout of a 2009 club option worth $6.75 million. He had a $6 million base salary last year and earned $250,000 in performance bonuses.

Williams is 132-116 with a 4.19 ERA in a 15-year career that includes stints with Toronto, St. Louis and San Diego. He had a career-high 18 wins with the Cardinals in 2003.

YANKEES

PETTITTE PITCHES TODAY AGAINST MINOR LEAGUERS

New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte reported no problems yesterday, one day after throwing 25 pitches off a bullpen mound.

Pettitte will pitch in a minor league game today.

Originally slated to start the Yankees' second game of the regular season, Pettitte has been slowed by back spasms and now is scheduled to make his first start next Saturday.

"I'm good to go. I feel good," Pettitte said.

Pettitte hasn't pitched in a game since March 17.

ELSEWHERE

Braves: Atlanta finalized its 25-man roster yesterday, optioning right-hander Buddy Carlyle to Triple-A Richmond and handing right-hander Jeff Bennett the final spot in the bullpen. Bennett, who missed all of 2006 recovering from major elbow surgery and spent most of last season at Richmond, was 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA in three appearances with the Braves. Carlyle made 20 starts a year ago and was 8-7 with a 5.21 ERA.

Rockies: Cory Sullivan, Colorado's best defensive outfielder, was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs yesterday after he was beaten out for the fifth outfielder job by free agent Scott Podsednik. Right-handed pitcher Ryan Speier and catcher Edwin Bellorin also were optioned to Colorado Springs, and the team said right-handers Jose Capellan and John Towers cleared outright waivers and will report to the Sky Sox.