Watch CBS News

White Sox 1B/DH Adam LaRoche Stepping Away From Baseball

(CBS) White Sox first baseman/designated hitter Adam LaRoche is stepping away from baseball for personal reasons, he said Tuesday.

His retirement appears to be imminent, but he's still considering his teammates' request to think the decision over for a few days. LaRoche informed the White Sox at a team meeting Tuesday morning.

"I'm confident I am stepping stepping away from baseball," LaRoche told the Tribune. "My teammates have asked me for an hour (to reconsider). I've tried to convince them I am convinced, but I will do them that, and give it a day or two, and then come back in and finish the story."

The 36-year-old LaRoche endured his toughest professional season in 2015, his first in Chicago, where he hit posted career lows with a .207 batting average and .634 OPS with 12 homers and 44 RBIs in 127 games. LaRoche was recently dealing with back issues as well.

A 12-year veteran, LaRoche has 255 homers and is a .260 hitter in his career, which has also included stints with the Braves, Pirates, Red Sox, Diamondbacks and Nationals.

LaRoche is in the final season of a two-year, $25-million deal that he signed with the White Sox before the 2015 season. There was still $13 million of that due in 2016, though the White Sox would be off the hook for that if he retires.

Melky Cabrera and Avisail Garcia could see increased roles at designated hitter if LaRoche is indeed done. The White Sox recently acquired outfielder Austin Jackson, meaning incumbent center fielder Adam Eaton could spend more time at the corner outfield spots. Eaton has expressed a willingness to do whatever's best for the White Sox, who struggled defensively in 2015.

The White Sox have also continued to express interest in Reds outfielder Jay Bruce in recent weeks, 670 The Score's Bruce Levine has reported. He's owed $12.5 million in 2016 and could factor in as a designated hitter as well as in the outfield.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.