Lohse announced via his personal Instagram Thursday that he is retiring.

EDGE Analysis

After being released from his minor league contract with the Royals earlier Thursday, Lohse announced that he's hanging up his cleats for good. Over the course of 16 major league seasons, Lohse logged a whopping 2,531.2 innings and notched a 4.40 ERA. He was a key member of the Cardinals rotation during their 2011 World Series run and finishes his career with 147 wins.

Lohse was released by the Royals on Thursday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse inked a minor-league deal with the Royals on March 31, but he was simply awful during his time in the organization. He allowed 12 runs in two starts for Triple-A Omaha, giving up 17 hits and walking five in that span. He'll head out to the open market looking for a new minor-league deal, though his recent performance very well may detract potential suitors for his services.

Lohse signed a minor-league deal with Kansas City on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse has been out of the game since refusing an outright assignment to the minor leagues while on the Rangers in July of 2016. The 39-year-old will provide some extra rotational depth for the Royals with both Nathan Karns and Jesse Hahn on the disabled list due to elbow problems. During his last full season in the majors, Lohse posted a 5.85 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with a 108:43 K:BB over 152.1 innings for Milwaukee in 2015. Looking ahead, Lohse will build his arm up at Triple-A Omaha before there's any possibility of joining the big-league squad.

Lohse refused his assignment to Triple-A Round Rock and is now a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse went 0-2 with a 12.54 ERA in his two starts with the Rangers this season. He was better at Round Rock, but not by much, as he posted a 5.06 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. The 37-year-old's performance has drastically declined in recent seasons, particularly when it comes to his susceptibility to allow home runs, so it's hard to imagine a team being eager to sign him at this point in time.

Lohse was designated for assignment Tuesday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse was rocked in two major league starts recently, giving up six and seven earned runs, respectively, on his way to two losses and the Rangers have now decided to send him back to the minors on assignment. If the 37-year-old doesn't get picked up by another big league club during his waiver period, he'll likely remain with Triple-A Round Rock where he's compiled a 5.06 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 10 starts this season.

Lohse is not a lock to stick in the Rangers' rotation, as either he or Nick Martinez will start Tuesday against the A's, the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant reports.

EDGE Analysis

There is really no reason to be using Lohse in any format. He really struggles to miss bats (6.3 percent K-rate) and he gets hit hard, hence his 12.54 ERA through two starts. Even if he does get the start over Martinez on Tuesday, Lohse will likely be bumped from the rotation once the Rangers get healthy or once they acquire another pitcher via trade.

Lohse (0-2) allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings in a loss Tuesday to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse gave up two home runs again after serving up a pair of homers in his first outing July 9 against the Twins. He was doomed by the home run ball last year with Milwaukee, as he surrendered 29 in just 22 starts and finished with a 1.7 HR/9 that was by far a career high. He posted a 5.85 ERA last season as a result, and he isn't showing that he's fixed the problem thus far with the Rangers.

Lohse (oblique) has been cleared to start as scheduled Tuesday following a pain-free bullpen Saturday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse struggled in his lone start at the major-league level this season, and was struggling to find much success at Triple-A Round Rock prior to his promotion so it's hard to envision a situation where Lohse will be a fantasy asset in his current form,

Lohse (oblique) has been able to play catch but will likely need a pain-free bullpen session over the weekend before being cleared to start Tuesday as scheduled, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse allowed six runs in six innings in his season debut prior to the All-Star break after struggling to the tune of a 5.06 ERA at Triple-A Round Rock this season. Healthy or not, you'd have to be pretty desperate to be relying on Lohse at this point.

Lohse has been diagnosed with tightness in his right oblique, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lohse noticed the issue early in Saturday's start against the Twins, but he continued to pitch because he knew the Texas bullpen needed some rest. He ultimately gave up six runs over six innings, after struggling at Triple-A Round Rock (5.06 ERA) for the first few months of the season. Even if the injury heals quickly, there's no assurance Lohse sticks in the starting rotation after the All-Star break.