Jered Weaver announces retirement after 12 seasons

San Diego Padres right-hander Jered Weaver, a former three-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels, announced his retirement from baseball Wednesday following 12 major-league seasons.

"I've decided to step away from baseball. While I've been working hard to get back on the mound, my body just will not allow me to compete like I want to," Weaver said in a statement released by the Padres. "Many thanks to the Padres organization for the opportunity to play in the amazing city of San Diego. You have been very professional and respectful during this process and I really appreciate that. ...

"I'm excited for the next chapter in life and making up for lost time with my family. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years. It was a great ride!"

Weaver joined the Padres this winter on a one-year, $3-million contract following a stellar run with the Angels. But his move down the I-5 didn't go according to plan, as he posted a 7.44 ERA with a career-worst 1.92 strikeout-to-walk ratio in just nine starts before landing on the disabled list with a hip issue on May 20. The 34-year-old's last professional outing was a rehab start at Triple-A El Paso on June 22, during which he allowed three runs in three innings.

"Over the past decade, Jered established himself as one of the premier pitchers and fiercest competitors in baseball," Padres general manager A.J. Preller said. "He built a tremendous reputation throughout the game, not only for his track record of success, but also as a consummate teammate and professional. On behalf of the Padres organization, I want to congratulate Jered on an outstanding career."

Before injuries and declining velocity (his fastball averaged 84.3 mph during the 2015-16 seasons, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune) came together to end his career, Weaver was a dominant and durable pitcher for 11 seasons with the Angels at the tail end of the most successful era in franchise history.

A three-time All-Star who started the 2011 midsummer classic for the AL, Weaver twice led his league in games started and wins - including a 20-win campaign in 2012 - and struck out an MLB-best 233 batters in 2010. Weaver finished in the top five of AL Cy Young voting in each of his All-Star seasons from 2010-12, and was the runner-up for the award to Justin Verlander in 2011.

He also posted a 2-1 record and a 2.60 ERA in seven playoff games for the Angels from 2007-14.

On May 2, 2012, Weaver threw the Angels' 10th and most recent no-hitter. He was also part of an unofficial no-hitter in 2008, when he and Jose Arredondo combined for eight no-hit innings in a 1-0 Angels loss at Dodger Stadium.

Weaver finishes his 12-year career with a 150-98 record, a 3.63 ERA, 1.191 WHIP, 1,621 strikeouts, 14 complete games, and eight shutouts in 331 games pitched - all of them starts. His name ranks near the top of virtually every statistical category in Angels franchise history, and his 150 wins with the club are second only to Chuck Finley's 165.