Murphy retired from professional baseball Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy previously announced his retirement before the 2021 season, but secured a minor-league deal from the Angels in June and attempted a comeback to the majors. After slashing .295/.379/.362 with Triple-A Salt Lake across 169 plate appearances Murphy will once again call it a career. Murphy will finish his 12-year career with a .296 batting average on top of 138 homers and 735 RBI while also winning the NLCS MVP award with the Mets in 2015.

Murphy agreed to a minor-league contract with the Angels on Monday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After retiring following the 2020 season, Murphy resumed his career earlier this year with the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball's Long Island Ducks, putting up a .331/.410/.451 slash with two home runs in 37 contests. The three-time All-Star is now 38 years old, but on a no-risk minor-league pact, the Angels felt he was worth a shot. He'll likely report to Triple-A Salt Lake and hope to perform well enough in the Pacific Coast League to earn a promotion back to the big leagues.

Murphy ended his retirement Wednesday and signed a contract with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. "This game is part of my soul, and my passion for playing grew as great as ever when I discovered certain things that I believe will enable me to be productive on the field again," Murphy said in a statement.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy, who will turn 38 years old Saturday, will embark on the 16th season of his professional career and his first since 2020, when he posted a .608 OPS over 40 games with the Rockies. Due to his age and time away from the game, Murphy, a three-time All-Star, will likely need to turn in some productive plate appearances in the Atlantic League for at least a few weeks before potentially resurfacing in affiliated ball. He hasn't played second base since the 2019 season and will likely be limited to first base and designated hitter at this stage of his career.

Murphy announced his retirement from baseball Friday, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy closed the books on a 12-year major-league career spent with the Mets, Nationals, Cubs and Rockies. His lasting legacy may be his role at the forefront of the flyball revolution that changed hitters' approaches around the league, transforming him from a low-power contact hitter into someone who hit .347/.390/.595 with 25 homers at his peak in 2016. He'll retire with 138 homers, 1,572 hits and a .296 average. While he never managed to win a World Series, he did earn gold with Team USA at the 2017 World Baseball Classic and earned an NLCS MVP with the pennant-winning Mets in 2015.

Murphy became a free agent Wednesday after the Rockies declined his $12 million team option for 2020.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy will receive a $6 million buyout, meaning the contract he signed with Colorado after the 2018 season was effectively a two-year, $30 million deal. As the Rockies' decision to decline the 2021 option suggests, Murphy failed to meet expectations during his time in Colorado, providing a .269/.316/.426 slash line (77 wRC+) over 610 plate appearances. Since he's viewed primarily as a first baseman at this stage in his career and is set to turn 36 years old in April, Murphy might have to settle for a minor-league deal this winter if he wants to continue playing.

Murphy remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Out of the lineup versus a right-handed pitcher (Mike Fiers) for the fourth time in five games, Murphy appears to have moved into a full-time reserve role for the Rockies. The 35-year-old is slashing a lowly .239/.280/.342 on the season, a batting line rendered even more disappointing given the fact that he's had the benefit of playing at Coors Field. Josh Fuentes is now the Rockies' top option at first base.

Murphy is not starting Tuesday against the Athletics, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy has now sat for five of the last six games, including three times against righties and twice against lefties like Tuesday's starter Sean Manaea. Josh Fuentes remains the starter at first base.

Murphy is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy started Saturday and went 0-for-5, and he now finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in the past five contests. Matt Kemp will bat fifth as the designated hitter Sunday.

Murphy remains on the bench for the third straight game Friday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy appears to be losing playing time after hitting .250/.286/.357 through 34 games, numbers which would look quite poor even if he didn't get to play half his games in Coors Field. Josh Fuentes will be the first baseman in his absence.

Murphy isn't starting Wednesday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Murphy will take a seat for a second straight game, even with right-hander Zach Davies on the mound for San Diego. Matt Kemp will serve as the designated hitter once again.