Brewers DFA veteran OF Cain, 36, after ‘fun ride’
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Lorenzo Cain reflects on time in MLB (1: 26)
After being designated for assignment by the Brewers, Lorenzo Cain shares his fond memories of playing in MLB. (1: 26)
3: 49 PM ET
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Jesse RogersESPN Staff Writer
- Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain was designated for assignment on Saturday, the team announced before its game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Cain, 36, was hitting . 179 in 145 at-bats while the Brewers’ offense struggled throughout June. The veteran was 4-for-26 this month with no walks and seven strikeouts. As a team, the Brewers rank 14th in OPS in the National League in June while falling out of first place after a strong start.
Cain broke in with the Brewers in 2010, then spent the next seven seasons in Kansas City before returning to Milwaukee as a free agent in 2018. He’s in the final season of a five-year, $80 million deal. The move comes on the same date that Cain reached 10 years of major league service.
“It just got to a point where it’s probably time,” Cain said in Cincinnati. “I haven’t been performing as well as I would like, but the situation is what is. I have had a wonderful career. I don’t have to be upset about anything but it is time. I wish my coaches, trainers, and all my teammates the very best. They have been my best friends throughout my career. It’s been a great ride for me. “
Cain is a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner. He also finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice in his career.
“No doubt, he did his part,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “At the final, it was time to do this. It was just the right time. “
Cain was replaced in the roster by journeyman outfielder Jonathan Davis, who was called up from Triple-A Nashville.
“I would say it was mutual to part ways,” he said. “We have a great team. I don’t think that I contributed as much as I would have liked. They had to make a change. I would have liked to be able to contribute more to the team and play better, but that was not the case this year.
“At the end of the day, it’s been fun. This team is capable of great things. They are well-coached and well-managed. They are a team of hardworking men. They will be missed by me. It was a great ride. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The author of 5 books, 3 of which are New York Times bestsellers. I’ve been published in more than 100 newspapers and magazines and am a frequent commentator on NPR.
