Pitcher Bruce Chen retires after 17 MLB seasons

Veteran pitcher Bruce Chen has retired after 17 seasons in the majors, he announced Monday.

Veteran pitcher Bruce Chen has retired after 17 seasons in the majors, he announced Monday.

Chen, 37, was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians on Saturday after two lackluster starts. Chen allowed six runs and 10 hits in four innings on May 9, and three runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings on May 15. 

Chen made his major-league debut in 1998 with the Atlanta Braves and played for a total of 11 teams in his 17-year career. 

After a nomadic early career, Chen found a home with the Kansas City Royals in 2009 and played six seasons for the team. He was released by the Royals last September and signed with the Indians in February. He spent the beginning of this season in Triple A and was called up when TJ House was injured.

Chen retires with a career 4.62 ERA in 1,532 innings. He has 82 wins and 81 losses.

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- Dan Gartland