Ted Lilly has been hired as a special assistant for the Cubs front office. Lilly, 38, announced his retirement from baseball in November. He will work with young players in Cubs camp during spring training and then help the organization with scouting for the draft. Lilly pitched 15 years in the major leagues -- four of them with the Cubs.

Veteran left-hander Ted Lilly confirmed to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that he will retire. This confirms a recent report in Venezuelan newspaper El Universal. "I am retiring," Lilly wrote in a text message. "I don't want to, but I think it is the realistic decision." The 37-year-old attempted to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League after having the nerve endings on the right side of his neck cauterized by a spine specialist, but the discomfort hasn't subsided.

Ted Lilly told Andreina Salas Guzman of Venezuelan newspaper El Universal that he will retire from baseball. Lilly recently had the nerve endings on the right side of his neck cauterized by a spine specialist, enabling him to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League, but he's dealing with pain in his back and shoulder and feels like his days of pitching at a high level are over. "My body in general is telling me that I can't take any more," said Lilly. "I feel like I don't have the ability to continue at the Major League level." The 37-year-old left-hander has been limited to just 13 starts over the past two seasons. A two-time All-Star, Lilly will walk away from the game with a 130-113 record to go along with a 4.14 career ERA.

Ted Lilly recently had the nerve endings on the right side of his neck cauterized by a spine specialist. The process involved the burning of his nerve endings by a large needle. Lilly's agent, Larry O'Brien, said the procedure has allowed the lefty to feel well enough to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League. "That procedure has given him relief," O'Brian said. If Lilly can show that his neck issue is behind him and pitch well in Venezuela, the veteran lefty might find a few suitors this winter.

Ted Lilly will pitch for Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League. After being limited to eight starts in 2012 while coming back from shoulder surgery, Lilly started just five games this season due to a chronic neck injury. The neck ailment isn't going away, and he will turn 38 in January, but Lilly isn't ready to call it a career just yet. He'll surely have to settle for a non-guaranteed deal.

According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, the Giants have called off a deal with Ted Lilly. Cotillo's source says the two sides "could not agree" on a designated callup date. Lilly was released by the Dodgers this weekend after posting a 5.09 ERA in 23 innings while battling chronic neck discomfort.

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports that the Giants have signed left-hander Ted Lilly to a split contract. MLB Trade Rumors has confirmed the signing. Lilly was released by the Dodgers over the weekend after posting a 5.09 ERA and 18/10 K/BB ratio over 23 innings this season. The 37-year-old southpaw is slated to pitch for Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday night and could join the major league roster for the stretch run.

Dodgers released LHP Ted Lilly. Lilly was designated for assignment last week and has now officially been released. The 37-year-old has a 5.09 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 18/10 K/BB ratio over 23 innings this season and will look to sign on with another team.

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports that the Dodgers have placed Ted Lill on unconditional release waivers. This is purely a procedural move that happens to many players at this time of year, and as he's likely to go unclaimed it will give them the chance to open up trade dialogue with teams that have interest in him. The 37-year-old southpaw has posted 5.09 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 18/10 K/BB ratio in 23 innings this season.

Dodgers designated LHP Ted Lilly for assignment. Lilly had just been activated from the DL Wednesday after missing most of the last two months with a chronic neck issue. With a $13.5 million salary and major injury issues, he won't draw any interest on waivers. The Dodgers will just have to eat his salary, but they have better uses for a roster spot at this point. Lilly will be 38 before spring training next season, and his days as a useful pitcher are likely over.