Former closer Rafael Soriano announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Sunday, according to the Toronto Blue Jays’ Twitter account.
RHP Rafael Soriano has announced his retirement from professional baseball: pic.twitter.com/4Tjjv4VqAU
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 20, 2016
“I have decided to retire from the game I love,” Soriano said in a statement. “I want to take this opportunity to thank the front office staffs, scouts, coaches, and trainers from the Mariners, Braves, Rays, Yankees, Nationals, Cubs, and Blue Jays for believing in me and helping me to live out my dream; without you my career would not have been possible.”
The 36-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays in February after appearing in six games for the Chicago Cubs in 2015.
Soriano made his debut in 2002 with the Seattle Mariners. He was named to the AL All-Star team in 2010 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays and led the league in saves that season with 45, finishing eighth in Cy Young Award voting and 12th in the MVP race, according to Baseball Reference.
Soriano finished his career with a 24-28 record, a 2.89 ERA and 207 saves, which is the 44th all-time. He also expressed that he wishes to remain around the game in the future.
“I look forward to this next chapter in my life and hope to continue to be involved in baseball in some capacity in the future,” said Soriano.
Main Photo Credit:
Main Photo Caption: Rafael Soriano #29 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the ninth inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 15, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. September 15, 2014| Credit: Mike Zarrilli, Getty Images Sport.
