Freiman officially announced his retirement from professional baseball Saturday on Twitter.

EDGE Analysis

Freiman's last stay with a major-league organization came in April of 2016 when he spent just over a month with the Nationals but failed to catch on with their Triple-A affiliate. He appeared in 116 big-league games over the course of his career, all coming with Oakland from 2013-2014, where he slashed .256/.309/.408 with nine home runs and 39 RBI. The 31-year-old stated that he will be returning to Duke University this fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree.

Freiman cleared waivers Sunday and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The Athletics dropped Freiman from their 40-man roster Thursday in order to clear a spot for newly acquired reliever Cody Martin. Freiman had hoped to solidify himself as a platoon mate with Ike Davis this season, but after struggling with the big club in the early going and performing even worse with Nashville -- where he's batting .171 across 117 at-bats -- he's no longer much of a useful asset for the organization.

Freiman was designated for assignment Thursday. Freiman has spent the season at Triple-A Nashville, where he's hitting a paltry .171 with eight RBI and two extra-base hits in 117 at-bats. He'll now be removed from the 40-man roster and subject to waivers.

Freiman (back) has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Nashville, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. Freiman has been on the disabled list for over a month and will join the A's Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. He appeared in just one spring training game, so he may need some time before he starts producing in Triple-A.

Freiman (back) was officially placed on the 15 Day DL on Saturday. Freiman strained a back muscle early in the spring and only appeared in one Cactus League game. Freiman has reported that the back is feeling better, but there is no set timetable yet for his return. Once he is healthy, he will report to Triple-A Nashville and could be called up to the majors if he is needed as an injury replacement.

Freiman said Friday that he has been feeling a lot better lately thanks to some aggressive treatment for his back strain, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Freiman's reported progress is encouraging, but he still is not taking part in any baseball activity and there is no timetable for him to begin doing so. The injury forced Freiman out of action after just one spring game, damaging his already slim hopes of making the Opening Day roster.

Freiman (back) is progressing slowly in his recovery, the Bay Area News Group's John Hickey reports. The back strain was only supposed to sideline Freiman for two weeks, but we are now closing in on three weeks since he suffered the injury. He continues to progress, but it is going slower than expected.

Freiman has suffered a strained back muscle and could miss two weeks, Joe Stiglich of CSN California reports. Freiman entered 2015 hoping to nab a roster spot following the departure of Brandon Moss, but his inability to play anywhere but first base matched with the injury, which could hold him out two weeks, would likely be too much to overcome. He was on the outside looking in for a roster spot already, and it seems likely he will begin the season in the minors.

Freiman was removed from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers, according to MLB.com's Jane Lee. Freiman was in the original lineup for the A's, but the Rangers scratched lefty Derek Holland (head) and are now starting righty Scott Baker, so A's manager Bob Melvin switched from a righty-heavy lineup to a lefty-heavy one. Freiman was replaced at first base by Stephen Vogt.

Freiman, who was recalled from Low-A Beloit on Tuesday, went 0-for-2 with a walk in the Athletics' loss to the Mariners. Freiman spent the bulk of his time at Triple-A Sacramento this season, batting .284 and smacking 15 homers over 310 at-bats. He'll likely find himself at first base in the Oakland lineup in September whenever a left-hander is starting for the opposition.