Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Report: David Ortiz will retire after 2016 season

David Ortiz

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz raises his arms and looks upward as he crosses home plate after a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

AP

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz will retire at the end of the 2016 season.

Ortiz has one season and $16 million remaining on his contract, although the Red Sox also hold a team option for 2017.

Ortiz got off to a rough start this year, at which point many people started wondering if he was done being an elite hitter at age 39, but those debates are a distant memory after he hit .296 with 31 homers, 28 doubles, and a 1.017 OPS in 101 games from June 1 through the end of the season.

His final numbers were right in line with the rest of his great career, including a .273 batting average, 37 homers, 37 doubles, 77 walks, and a .913 OPS in 146 games. Ortiz also joined the 500-homer club late in the season.

There will be plenty of time for Ortiz to change his mind but today at least--one day before his 40th birthday--the nine-time All-Star is planning to call it a career after one more season in Boston.

Follow @AaronGleeman