A-Rod plans to retire following 2017 season

New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez will retire when his contract expires after the 2017 season, the slugger told ESPN's Andrew Marchand.

"I won't play after next year," Rodriguez said Wednesday. "I've really enjoyed my time. For me, it is time for me to go home and be dad."

A-Rod is set to make $21 million in each of the next two seasons, and can earn significantly more in marketing bonuses for continuing his ascent up the all-time home run list.

He'll need to average 14 homers over the final two years of his career to pass Babe Ruth for third on the list, 34.5 to pass Hank Aaron for second, and 38 to surpass Barry Bonds' mark of 762 long balls.

ALL-TIME HOME RUNS

After serving a year-long doping suspension, the controversial slugger hit .250/.356/.486 with 33 homers and 86 RBIs in 151 contests for the Yankees last season.

Rodriguez will turn 41 on July 27, and is entering his 22nd big-league season.