Rays release 1B James Loney

The Tampa Bay Rays have released first baseman James Loney.

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The Tampa Bay Rays have released first baseman James Loney, the team announced Sunday.

The team will still pay the $8 million left on a three-year, $21 million deal he signed before the 2014 season.

Loney, 31, played in 104 games last season, hitting .280 with four home runs and 32 RBIs. He only took 361 at-bats last season while dealing with finger and oblique injuries.

The team had reportedly been trying to trade Loney, but could not find a team that would take on his contract. 

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The Rays open their season against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.