Freddy Sanchez retires 4 years after last playing in majors

Freddy Sanchez finally announced his retirement from baseball on Monday.

The announcement was made on Sanchez's 38th birthday, four years after he last appeared in a major-league game.

Various injuries have sidelined the former National League batting champ and three-time All-Star, who spent time with the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants over his 10-year career.

"I'm so thankful for what baseball (has) given me,'' Sanchez said, via ESPN. "I appreciate the opportunity the Red Sox, Pirates, and Giants gave me.''

Sanchez owns a .297/.335/.413 slash line, along with 48 home runs, 371 RBIs, and 1,012 hits across 904 career games. He hit .344 when he won the NL batting crown with the Pirates in 2006.