Ankiel announced Monday that he plans to pursue a comeback to professional baseball in 2019 as a relief pitcher, FOX Sports Midwest reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ankiel, who turned 39 years old in July, began his professional career on the mound and dazzled with a 3.50 ERA in his first full MLB campaign in 2000 before suffering from significant control problems in the postseason that same year. The control issues persisted the following season, and Ankiel's inability to rediscover his rookie form coupled with a Tommy John surgery thrown in along the way prompted him to reinvent himself as an outfielder beginning in 2005. Ankiel went on to slug 74 home runs over parts of seven seasons with six teams before announcing his retirement in 2014. After throwing against college hitters in a recent exhibition event in Louisville, Ankiel was apparently motivated to give pitching in the professional ranks one last try, so he'll take the next few months to get back in playing shape and attempt to land a minor-league contract ahead of spring training.

Dan McLaughlin said on the Cardinals' television broadcast Wednesday that Rick Ankiel has retired from baseball. Ankiel said as recently as February that he was open to playing in 2014 if the right situation came along, but he has apparently given up on the idea of a comeback and is now aiming to join a team's front office in some capacity. His once-promising career as a pitcher fizzled out due to extreme control problems, but he still made his mark as a hitter for a brief stretch, which is quite a testament to his talent.

Rick Ankiel stated in an interview on Sirius XM on Friday that he's still open to playing in 2014. The free agent outfielder hasn't heard from any interested teams, but has yet to give up hope. At this point, he will have to settle for a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, but in the right destination he could compete for a bench spot on a team in need of left-handed power.

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports that free agent Rick Ankiel is willing to extend his career in 2014, even if that involves taking a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Ankiel, 34, spent the 2013 season with the Astros and Mets, racking up a paltry 136 plate appearances with a .657 OPS to show for it. In fact, he has posted a sub-.700 OPS in each of the past three seasons. Beyond occasional power, Ankiel doesn't bring much to the field, but on a risk-free minor league deal, some teams could do worse.

Rick Ankiel has elected to become a free agent. Ankiel was designated for assignment by the Mets last week after batting just .182/.239/.364 with 25 strikeouts in 71 plate appearances. The 33-year-old former pitcher will presumably try to latch on with a new organization.

The Mets are expected to designate Rick Ankiel for assignment before Sunday's game in order to make room on the roster for Kirk Nieuwenhuis. The 33-year-old outfielder is hitting just .188/.235/.422 with seven homers, 18 RBI and 60 strikeouts through 128 at-bats on the season after an 0-for-4 effort on Saturday. After being dismissed by the Astros and Mets, he'll likely have to settle for a minor league deal elsewhere.

Rick Ankiel went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Friday's loss to the Marlins. Ankiel has predictably slowed down after his hot start with New York, collecting just two hits in his last 22 at-bats. Still, the Mets figure to keep running him out there in center field against right-handers for the time being. He's not really an option outside of deeper NL-only leagues.

Rick Ankiel tripled and doubled twice against the Reds on Wednesday. The triple should have been a double, too, but Xavier Paul fell down in left field twice on the play. Ankiel is now 10-for-31 with seven extra-base hits as a member of the Mets. It probably won't last, but it's nice to see him doing well. His career was in danger of being over when the Astros let him go.

Rick Ankiel went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer Saturday against the Cubs. Ankiel is 6-for-20 (.300) with two homers, four RBI and six strikeouts since joining the Mets earlier this week. The 33-year-old is not going to hit for a high batting average, but he has enough pop to be useful in NL-only leagues as long as he gets regular at-bats in center field.

Rick Ankiel went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI but the Mets fell to the Cardinals on Wednesday. Ankiel singled in the top of the second inning and then hit a game-tying two-run homer in the top of the seventh. But the Mets wound up losing their third straight game in St. Louis. Ankiel is 2-for-8 since joining New York.