
The Chicago Cubs released veteran outfielder Ryan Sweeney on Tuesday after no other teams claimed him.
Last season, Sweeney batted .251 in 77 games and saw diminishing playing time. Going into this season, he failed to make the Cubs’ 25-man roster for Opening Day and the team designated him for assignment.
The Cubs are responsible for paying Sweeney the remaining $1.5 million on his contract and a $500,000 buyout for 2016.
The 30-year-old Sweeney has 23 home runs and 224 RBIs with a .276 batting average in 682 career games with the Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox. In 2013 with the Cubs, Sweeney batted .266 with six homers and 19 RBIs.