Rays’ Colby Rasmus has decided to ‘step away’ from baseball

In an abrupt and unexpected announcement, the Tampa Bay Rays revealed on Thursday that outfielder Colby Rasmus has decided to “step away” from the game of baseball. Marc Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times also reports that Rasmus is not expected to return in 2017.

The #Rays have placed OF Colby Rasmus on the restricted list. pic.twitter.com/Z28sYZ5SfI

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 13, 2017

Colby Rasmus has decided to "step away" from game, placed on restricted list by #Rays, not expected to return this season

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 13, 2017

Rasmus, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Rays this offseason, had been productive until he was slowed by a hip injury in mid-June. Prior to landing on the disabled list (DL), he was hitting .281/.318/.579/.896 with nine home runs, 23 RBI and one stolen base.

The 30-year-old Rasmus has been placed on the Rays’ restricted list.

In 2014, Colby’s brother Casey also unexpectedly retired from baseball at the age of 24.