Derek Lowe retires after 17 seasons

Pitcher Derek Lowe has retired from baseball after a 17-year big-league career.

Lowe, 40, was released by the Texas Rangers in late May after posting a 9.00 ERA in 13 innings, including three home runs, and he hasn't found another job.

"I'm officially no longer going to play the game," Lowe told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. "It's still enjoyable, but the role I was having wasn't fulfilling."

Lowe went 176-157 and saved 86 games in 2,671 1/3 innings with seven different teams. He was part of the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, and started the decisive Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, as well as the clinching Game 4 of World Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals.