Tigers release DH Sheffield

Mar 31, 2009 - 2:43 PM LAKELAND, Florida (Ticker) -- Gary Sheffield was released by the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, possibly ending the career of the 40-year-old slugger.

Sheffield, who is one home run shy of 500, told the team's web site that he was caught off guard by the move.

"I never really thought about it, to be honest with you," he said.

In two seasons in Detroit, Sheffield batted a combined .247 with 44 home runs and 132 RBI, mostly as a designated hitter. Last season, he played in only 114 games, missing time because of a sore right shoulder and a strained oblique.

Sheffield said he was told by Tigers manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski that the club wanted a more versatile lineup. Sheffield likely would have once again been used only as a DH.

He is guaranteed $14 million for the 2009 season and will become a free agent if he clears waivers.

The nephew of former major league pitcher Dwight Gooden, Sheffield is a career .292 hitter with 2,615 hits and 1,633 RBI over 21 seasons with Milwaukee, San Diego, Florida, Los Angeles, Atlanta, the New York Yankees and Tigers.

In another move Tuesday, the Tigers placed righthanded pitcher Jeremy Bonderman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday. Bonderman is still in rehabilitation from last season's surgery to remove a blood clot in his right shoulder.