ARLINGTON, Texas — On Sunday, Ken Caminiti expressed doubts about his future with the Texas Rangers.
One day later, they were confirmed.
The third baseman was placed on irrevocable waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release from the Rangers at his request on Monday afternoon.
“After I discussed the situation with Ken, he has decided that it is in his best interest to take his release,” Rangers General Manager Doug Melvin said. “With our decision to go with younger players, he did not fit in with the future plans of the ballclub. This will also give him an opportunity to join another ballclub where he can contribute.”
Caminiti, 38, had been on the disabled list since June 17 with a pulled left hamstring but became eligible for activation on Monday.
“Ken has been a true professional throughout this season, and I wish him the best for the remainder of his career,” Melvin said.
Caminiti earned $2 million in salary and $750,000 in incentives this season with the Rangers. With Caminiti’s release, the Rangers will not have to pay his contract next season and will save $3 million of his 2001 salary. He signed a one-year contract with options for two more seasons on December 10.
Caminiti’s agent Rick Licht said several teams, including Atlanta, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco, and St. Louis has expressed interest in the infielder. Caminiti’s new team would only be responsible for $200,000 of the contract, about the equivalent to the Major League minimum salary.
The Rangers called up Mike Lamb on June 17 from Triple-A Oklahoma City to play third base in Caminiti’s absence. Scott Sheldon has also played third base this season and Randy Velarde, a veteran utility infielder, is scheduled to begin rehab assignment for a pulled hamstring this week. Velarde took groundballs at third base during the Rangers’ last homestand — June 19 to 21.
Caminiti, the 1996 National League Most Valuable player, has said his hamstring is not 100 percent healthy but he is strong enough to play. He has been taking batting practice and running in the outfield at The Ballpark in Arlington since Friday.
In 13 seasons with Houston, San Diego and Texas, Caminiti has a career .273 batting average with 233 home runs, 967 RBIs in 1696 games. This season, he has hit .232 with nine home runs, 25 RBIs in 54 games.
Last season, the three-time All-Star played in 59 games, his fewest of his career, before being sidelined on June 15 with a right wrist injury. In 1999 his missed 79 games with a strained right calf muscle.
“Something’s going down tomorrow,” Caminiti told TexasRangers.com before the Rangers’ game with Oakland on Sunday. “I think I’m going to come off (the disabled list) and they’re going to release me.”
He was right.