Colby Lewis bids Rangers goodbye with touching statement

Colby Lewis and the Texas Rangers appear to be no more.

On Tuesday, a report surfaced from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Jeff Wilson that said Lewis - who spent nine seasons with the Rangers over two separate stints - would not be returning to the organization because they didn't offer him a big-league deal.

Wilson followed up the report with a statement from Lewis, which was posted on Facebook.

In the statement, the 37-year-old Lewis thanked the Rangers, the state of Texas, and the fans of the organization for everything they had done for him and his family during his long tenure with the club.

Saying goodbye after all this time seems an impossible task. I'm filled with so many emotions, Texas has turned into our second home and the people we have met over our 10 seasons here have turned from friends to family. But goodbyes are inevitable and this is mine.

I am forever grateful to the Texas Rangers organization, the best ownership and management in Major League Baseball. They helped make my baseball dreams come true. I pitched in two World Series with the uniform I love on my back. I have had some of the most loyal teammates that always picked me up every time I fell. The staff, the employees, and reporters became friendly faces each time I showed up at work. Rangers fans thank you as well y'all are incredible, simply the best.

Just saying "thank you" doesn't seem adequate, but thank you. From my family and me, thank you for the countless memories, unbelievable heights reached, and for making me feel like I will always have a home in Texas.

Lewis may not be done with baseball yet, but he won't play unless he finds a big-league deal elsewhere, according to Wilson.

The right-hander has received some interest in free agency, with the San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins being linked to him after a 2016 campaign in which he posted a 3.71 ERA across 19 starts.

Over the course of his 11-year career, Lewis owns a 4.70 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 233 appearances, 195 of which have been starts.