Mariners’ Gerut retires after 6 seasons in majors

PEORIA, Ariz. — Outfielder Jody Gerut is retiring after six seasons in the majors.

Gerut played for five teams before being invited to the Seattle Mariners’ spring training as a non-roster player this year. He announced his retirement Sunday.

The 33-year-old Gerut appeared in 574 games in stints with Cleveland (2003-2005), the Chicago Cubs (2005), Pittsburgh (2005), San Diego (2008-2009) and Milwaukee (2009-2010). He finished with a career batting average of .262 and had 472 hits.

“Physically I’m fine,” Gerut said in a statement from the Mariners. “But mentally my reasons for wanting to be in uniform have become so thin and narrow that I refuse to disrespect the game that has provided so generously for my family by playing it in a halfhearted way.”