NEW YORK -- Reliever Juan Acevedo was released by the New York Yankees on Tuesday, three days after giving up a three-run homer that spoiled Roger Clemens' bid for his 300th victory.

	Contreras

	Acevedo

The Yankees also placed Cuban right-hander Jose Contreras on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 7 with a strained right shoulder.

To replace Acevedo and Contreras on the 25-man roster, the Yankees recalled right-handed pitcher Jason Anderson from Triple-A Columbus and purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Al Reyes from Columbus.

Acevedo was 0-3 with six saves in seven chances and a 7.71 ERA in 25 games with the Yankees this season. He flourished in the closer's role when Mariano Rivera started the season on the disabled list, but struggled as a setup man after Rivera returned to the bullpen.

On Saturday, he relieved Clemens in the seventh inning and Eric Karros hit his first pitch for a three-run homer, erasing a 1-0 Yankees lead.

"It had nothing to do with the 300th game,'' Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "It was just another example of a poor performance.''

"I think he did everything he could,'' Cashman said. "I didn't think he'd get it turned around here. This is a tough town to struggle in.''

"Juan tried, it just didn't pan out in that role,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said before Tuesday night's game against Houston.

Contreras pitched poorly at the start of the season and was sent to Tampa and Columbus to work out his problems. He won two consecutive starts and was 3-1 with a 4.62 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 10 games with the Yankees.

"It doesn't seem like it's going to take anything longer than two weeks,'' Torre said.

Still, Torre said the Yankees wanted to figure out why Contreras' shoulder problem cropped up after a couple of starts.

With Contreras out, Jeff Weaver will rejoin the rotation and start Wednesday night against the Astros.

"I want Jeff to be a starter,'' Torre said.

To replace Acevedo, the Yankees have their sights set on Texas Rangers closer Ugueth Urbina, according to reports. A baseball official close to the situation told the Newark Star-Ledger that the Yankees have spoken with the Rangers about a deal for Urbina, even though the teams just struck a deal for outfielder Ruben Sierra last week.

Urbina, who signed a one-year free-agent contract with the Rangers last offseason, would have to grant the Rangers permission if they wanted to trade him before Saturday.

Anderson has not surrendered a run in six games with the Clippers this season, recording three saves. He appeared in 12 games in two previous stints with the Yankees this season, recording a 5.25 ERA over 12 innings.

Reyes was 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 15 games with the Clippers. In five appearances with the Yankees this season, he was 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.