DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Maicer Izturis wanted to give it one last shot, but the veteran infielder officially announced his retirement on Friday morning.
The 35-year-old Izturis reported to camp in February after signing a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training, trying to be optimistic about the possibility of playing another season.
The native of Venezuela went to the batting cage one last time Friday morning, and he then made his decision known with an impromptu scrum with the media. Izturis spent parts of 11 seasons in the big leagues, but he appeared in just 11 games over the last two years because of several major injuries.