Twins infielder Jason Bartlett is ending his comeback bid and has told the Twins he plans to retire.
Bartlett was on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle and made it through two days of extended spring training games in Fort Myers before he was mysteriously removed from the Twins lineup on Thursday.
Veteran infielder Jason Bartlett tells #MNTwins he plans to retire: http://t.co/ZjuRNlHeGy pic.twitter.com/ufg1JgRu0h
— Pioneer Press (@PioneerPress) April 18, 2014
The Pioneer Press reports Bartlett’s agent, Ryan Ware, contacted Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony on Friday to thank the team for the opportunity, on behalf of Bartlett.
Bartlett made the Opening Day roster despite missing the last year and a half with knee problems.
According to the Star Tribune, Antony has asked Bartlett to take a few more days to think about his decision, but admitted that Bartlett “had made up his mind that this is what he wanted to do.”
Bartlett was on a split contract so his $1 million major league salary was not guaranteed. He will be paid the prorated portion of that amount for the season’s first 18 days, just under $99,000.
He was hitless in three big-league plate appearances since returning to the Twins.
In Bartlett’s 10 year career, he played for the Twins, Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres. He hit .270 with 31 home runs and 286 RBIs.
Jason Bartlett retiring a Twin per @MikeBerardino. Told Doug Mientkiewicz before @MiracleBaseball game tonight.
— Ex Twins News (@ExTwinsNews) April 18, 2014
