An aggravated Tom Glavine said yesterday that he wasn't happy with how Atlanta handled his release, and after his public comments Braves president John Schuerholz apologized for the club's approach.

Glavine, still seething as he talked indepth for the first time since his release Wednesday, said the Braves knew they were going to release him Tuesday afternoon but "still paraded me out in Rome to a sold-out crowd" for his minor league start that night.

"That to me is extremely aggravating," Glavine said.

Hours after Glavine's statements, Schuerholz issued an apology "on behalf of the organization and myself personally for the way that it ended."

"I want to offer an apology to Tommy," Schuerholz said. "We made our decision, but the way — the environment and the tone and the manner — the end of it didn't feel comfortable to me."

Glavine said it won't be easy to mend his relationship with the Braves, who said the decision was based on the 43-year-old Glavine's performance in his minor league rehab appearances. But Glavine said, "It usually is about the money."

Glavine would have earned a $1 million bonus by being added to the 25-man roster.

He said he is not sure if he'll attempt to prolong his career with another club.

METS

RELIEVER PUTZ OUT 10 TO 12 WEEKS

New York reliever J.J. Putz will have surgery to remove a bone spur and pieces of bone from the back of his right elbow and is expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks.

Putz was put on the 15-day disabled list yesterday. The surgery on his pitching elbow is scheduled for Tuesday.

Putz is just 1-4 with a 5.22 ERA and two saves for the Mets. He has allowed eight runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings in his most recent outings. He complained of pain after Thursday's game in Pittsburgh.

"That's why he's pitching not the way we're used to seeing J.J.," New York general manager Omar Minaya said.

ELSEWHERE

Indians: Cleveland activated designated hitter Travis Hafner (right shoulder) from the 15-day disabled list and optioned struggling starter Fausto Carmona to the Arizona Rookie League. Carmona, who won 19 games for the Indians in 2007, is 2-6 with a 7.42 ERA this year. He will report to the Indians' minor league complex in Goodyear, Ariz., to work on his mechanics and mental approach.

Red Sox: Boston slugger David Ortiz, who's been battling a slump, will get his eyes checked Monday. Manager Terry Francona said that Ortiz has had dry eyes and he and the team just want to put the issue "to bed."

Cardinals: St. Louis right-hander Kyle Lohse was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career with a forearm injury after he had to leave his latest start early.

Padres: Jake Peavy's next start has been moved back to Monday night so that San Diego can allow its ace to recover from an upper respiratory infection.