Former Twins pitcher Carl Pavano has announced his retirement after 14 seasons.
Pavano last pitched for the Twins, but he hasn’t been on a big league mound since Jun. 1, 2012, after straining his right shoulder. Pavano also had his spleen removed in January, 2013, after he was injured when he fell in the snow at his Vermont home.
The Associated Press reports Pavano had been hoping to return to the major leagues this year.
“Despite my strong desire to compete and hard work in preparing for the season, I feel that the amount of time lost from my spleen injury, coupled with the recovery from my complications from that injury, preclude me from continuing to compete at the highest level,” Pavano said in a statement released through his agent.
Pavano finishes his career with a record of 108-107 with a 4.39 ERA having pitched for Montreal, Florida, the Yankees, Cleveland and the Twins. He was an All-Star in 2004, posting an 18-8 record with a 3.00 ERA.
In 2004, with the Marlins Pavano finished the season sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting. He signed a four-year, $39.95-million contract with the Yankees the following season but couldn’t stay healthy while he was with the Yankees.
Pavano did rebound with the Twins. In 2010, Pavano went 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA in 32 starts. Over his career he eclipsed 200 innings four times and made 10 postseason appearances.
