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Mets’ Michael Cuddyer retires after 15 seasons in MLB

Michael Cuddyer, who struggled last season with the New York Mets because of injuries, is retiring after 15 seasons in the majors.

Despite having another year remaining on his contract with the Mets, the outfielder announced his retirement Saturday on The Players' Tribune website.

The 36-year-old Cuddyer, a two-time All-Star, was scheduled to earn $12.5 million next season, completing a two-year, $21 million deal. It is unclear whether the Mets bought out the remaining year.

Cuddyer hit .259 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in 379 at-bats for the Mets in 2015. He underwent surgery in Philadelphia after the World Series to repair a core muscle injury.

"I've made the decision to retire. With one year left on my contract, it is especially difficult to imagine not suiting up in a Mets uniform for one more year," Cuddyer said in his Players' Tribune letter. "As an athlete, retiring is the toughest decision you have to make and I don't make it lightly. I've always run out every hit like it was my last. As an untested high school kid drafted with a dream, I've never taken a single moment in the Majors for granted. It goes against every grain in my body to consider a future without the game. But after 15 years, the toll on my body has finally caught up to me."

Cuddyer injured his knee in July and lost his regular left field job due to the promotion of rookie Michael Conforto and the acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes. During New York's run to the World Series, Cuddyer had 12 plate appearances but struck out seven times and had one hit.

"Over the last four years, I was on the disabled list six times," Cuddyer said. "I missed 150-200 games over that time span -- a broken shoulder, a strained oblique, a torn-up knee, a bulging disc in my neck. I pushed through it. Mentally, I was able to overcome it for a long time, but the physical and emotional taxation took its toll. Part of being a professional is to know yourself and to know your limits.

"As hard as it is to retire, I know my family deserves to have me home full-time now. It is time for my kids to develop their own dreams with their dad by their side."

Cuddyer began his career in 2001 with Minnesota and helped the Twins to six playoff appearances. Before joining the Mets, he spent three seasons with the Colorado Rockies and won the batting title in 2013.

In 1,536 regular-season games for Minnesota, Colorado and New York, Cuddyer had a .277 career batting average, 197 home runs and 794 RBIs. In 28 playoff games, he batted .306 with two home runs and eight RBIs.

"As everybody knows, Michael throughout his 15 Major League seasons has been a complete pro," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said in a statement. "He embodies and defines what the word 'professional' means -- on and off the field.

"While battling injuries this past season, he was one of our team's true leaders in the clubhouse, playing a significant role in our National League Championship. He leaves an indelible, positive impact on our organization. We salute Michael on his career and thank him for his contributions to our success in 2015. We wish him, Claudia and their kids all the health and happiness."

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