Hairston, 2 others file for free agency

NEW YORK, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Three more major league baseball players threw their hats into the free agency ring Tuesday, including New York Yankees utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr.

Joining Hairston on the market are San Francisco Giants infielder Rich Aurilia and New York Mets relief pitcher Elmer Dessens, whose moves brought the total of major league free agents to 154 on the sixth day of the 15-day declaration period.

Hairston appeared in six post-season games for the World Series champion New York Yankees, going 2-for-8 at the plate.

Aurilia, meanwhile, is coming off a career low .213 batting average for the Giants while battling a series of injuries. He has a .275 average for his 15-year career.

Dessens, a 13-year veteran hurler, spun a 3.31 ERA in 28 games for the Mets last season.