Cardinals officially release Jhonny Peralta

Jhonny Peralta is now a free agent as the infielder was officially granted his release by the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, the team announced.

Peralta had been designated for assignment by the club Friday.

A 15-year veteran, Peralta struggled out of the gate this season with St. Louis, slashing just .204/.259/.204 in 54 at-bats. The 35-year-old had also struggled to reclaim a starting gig in the Cardinals' infield in 2017 after being replaced at third and shortstop by Jedd Gyorko and Aledmys Diaz, respectively.

Peralta, who signed a four-year, $53-million contract with St. Louis in 2013, was set to earn $10 million this season.