June 11 (UPI) — The New York Mets have released veteran first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, 36, hit .237 with six home runs and 26 RBI in 54 games this season for the Mets. He signed with the team in January as a free agent. The Atlanta Braves were on the hook for $21.8 million of Gonzalez’s $22.3 million salary in 2018.
The Mets announced Gonzalez’s release after a 2-0 win against the New York Yankees Sunday at Citi Field in Queens.
“After tonight’s game we have given Adrián González his unconditional release,” the Mets said in a statement on Twitter. “On Tuesday, we will designate catcher Jose Lobaton for assignment, will recall Dominic Smith from Las Vegas and will select the contract of Ty Kelly from Las Vegas.”
The 15-year veteran owns a career .287 batting average. He has 317 career home runs. Gonzalez has had stops with the Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, before joining the Mets this offseason.
Gonzalez’s last All-Star nod came in 2015 with the Dodgers. He led Major League Baseball with 116 RBIs the previous season. Gonzalez led baseball with 213 hits during the 2011 season with the Red Sox.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.