The Atlanta Braves have released second baseman Dan Uggla.
ESPN noted that the Braves requested unconditional release waivers for Uggla on Friday. He is still owed more than $18 million for the rest of this year and next season.
The team announced the news via Twitter.
The Braves have released 2B Dan Uggla. A corresponding roster move will be made prior to tonight's game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 18, 2014
Uggla saw his playing time greatly diminish this year when rookie second baseman Tommy La Stella was brought up from Gwinnett in May. The team then tried to trade the second baseman, but a 34-year-old hitting just .162 this year was a hard sell.
The Kentucky native started his career with the team now known as the Miami Marlins in 2006. That same year he had 27 home runs, 90 RBIs, batted .282 and made the All-Star team. He made the All-Star team again in 2008 and was traded away to the Braves three years later for infielder Omar Infante and reliever Michael Dunn.
Uggla made one All-Star appearance as a member of the Braves in 2012, despite only batting .220 that year.
The last and only time Uggla hit a ball out of the park this year was when he hit two home runs in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 14.