MLB World Series Champion Pitcher Shockingly Opts For Retirement

KEY POINTS

Jake Arrieta calls it a career after an injury-riddled 2021 season with the Cubs and Padres
Arrieta says his time as an MLB player is done
He wraps up a 12-season run that saw him multiple individual awards

Jake Arrieta--who was part of the Chicago Cubs that won the 2016 World Series championship--is calling it a career.

The 36-year-old announced his retirement from professional baseball when he appeared on the Barstool Sports podcast.

Aside from the Cubs, Arrieta also had stops with the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres.

The one-time All-Star went 5-14 with a 7.39 ERA in 24 starts for the Cubs and Padres last MLB season.

He ends his 12-year career in the majors with a 115-93 record and 3.98 ERA in 285 games.

“I haven’t signed the papers, man, but I’m done. It’s time for me to step away from the game,” Arrieta stated. “At some point, the uniform goes to somebody else and it’s just my time, really.”

His run is well documented. The Missouri native won the 2015 Cy Young Award and the Silver Slugger award in 2016.

Apart from these accolades, Arrieta also pitched two no-hitters (2015 and 2016).

It was a rough 2021 for the All-Star pitcher who started the year with a return to the Cubs on a one-year deal.

However, his return to Chicago was marred by injuries, suffering a cut on his right thumb in April of lat year

As the season progressed, concerns grew about his pitch command and durability. He was unconditionally released in August 2021.

It did not take long for Arrieta to get another chance, signing a minor league deal with the Padres.

It was appropriate timing since San Diego was dealing with injuries to players such as Chris Paddack and Yu Darvish at the time.

Unfortunately, the injury woes continued for Arrieta. A hamstring ailment forced him to miss 10 games. A month later, he would suffer a right adductor Magnus muscle strain.

In only four starts for the Padres, he recorded a 10.95 ERA, allowing 15 earned runs in 12+1⁄3 innings before he was released.

Jake Arrieta’s retirement comes days after he blasted former manager Joe Maddon for intentionally walking Corey Seager with the bases loaded.

“Walking in a run already down by one, with a fresh reliever in the game. You are better off pulling the pitcher and optioning him immediately bc you have no faith in his ability. Seager is an incredible hitter, but what is happening to baseball?” Arrieta’s Twitter post read.