truebluefan

Yankee backups Nick Green and Sal Fasano elected to become free agents yesterday and the team outrighted infielder Andy Cannizaro to its new Triple-A affiliate in Scranton, Pa.

Fasano, the backup catcher who often caught the late Cory Lidle, batted .217 with five homers and 15 RBI over 78 games with the Yankees and Phillies. He replaced Kelly Stinnett as Jorge Posada's understudy after coming over from Philadelphia in a July 25 trade for shortstop Hector Made.

Green, acquired from Tampa Bay for cash on May 25, hit .240 with two homers and four RBI in 46 games for the Yankees. Cannizaro was 2-for-8 in 13 games for the Yanks, including his first major-league home run.