Igawa removed from 40-man roster

According to Ed Price, the Yankees announced today they have removed Kei Igawa from the 40-man roster.

And get this: every team passed on him on the waiver wire! Other than the Yankees, the Padres were the only other team (last year) to believe he could contribute in any way, shape or form.

Igawa is still under contract through 2011.

Update - 2:55 p.m.: To make room for the new acquisitions, Brett Gardner was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and LaTroy Hawkins was designated for assignment.

The Yankees could have sent Justin Christian down, but a similar situation arose earlier this season when the Yankees called up Christian and left Gardner in the minors so as not to hinder his development. They are presumably doing the same thing this time around as well.