Atlanta Braves

Does Ryan Howard's Triple-A release signal the end for the former MVP?

Published May. 9, 2017 10:46 a.m. ET

Chris Bahr

Ryan Howard is a free agent once again after having been released from his minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Howard was hitting .184/238/.263 with a homer, five RBI and 11 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances for the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett. He had hoped to hit well enough to earn a spot as a left-handed bat on the bench for Atlanta, but now the 37-year-old slugger must contemplate his options, which could include retirement.

Ryan Howard

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

After spending his entire career with the Phillies – 13 seasons in the majors after being drafted in the fifth round by Philadelphia in 2001 – Howard didn’t attract much attention on the free-agent market this past offseason. He eventually settled for a minor-league deal with the Braves in early April.

The 2005 NL Rookie of the Year and 2006 NL MVP is a career .258/.343/.515 hitter with 382 homers and 1,194 RBI. In his final season in Philly in 2016, he hit just .196/.257/.453 with 25 homers and 59 RBI in 112 games.