The Chicago White Sox released pitcher Shingo Takatsu on Monday. The White Sox designated Takatsu for assignment on July 18 when Orlando Hernandez came off the disabled list. The club then optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on July 28. Takatsu was 1-2 with a 5.97 earned run average and eight saves in 31 relief appearances with the White Sox this season, one year after recording 19 saves during his first campaign in the majors. The 36-year-old righthander set the Japanese career save record with 260. He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting last year.