Arencibia announces retirement in statement

TORONTO -- Former Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia has decided to call it a career.
Arencibia spent parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues, including four with the Blue Jays. He finishes his career as a .212 hitter with 80 home runs and 245 RBIs over 466 games.
The 31-year-old last appeared in the big leagues during the 2015 season, when he played 24 games for the Rays. Arencibia also made 63 appearances for the Rangers and spent last year playing for the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley.
"I really never could take a walk in my career, but this walk will be my biggest yet, I'm walking away from baseball," Arencibia wrote in a statement. "I've been blessed to play the game I love professionally for 10 years, with six of those seasons in the MLB. I have done everything with hard work and no shortcuts. I'm so thankful to all the people who have helped me along the way."
Arencibia was taken with the 21st overall pick of the 2007 Draft by then Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi. He spent three years in the Minors before making his debut on Aug. 7, 2010, in a game against the Rays that was one for the ages. Arencibia homered twice and finished with four hits, earning a standing ovation at the ballpark which would become his new home.
The native of Miami became Toronto's starting catcher in 2011 and held onto that job until the end of '13. He was non-tendered after hitting .194 with a .592 OPS over 138 games, and he later joined the Rangers. Arencibia surpassed the 20-homer plateau twice during his time with the Blue Jays, but he also had more than 100 strikeouts during each of his three years as a starter.
Arencibia's resume also includes a spot on Team USA at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He picked up a Player of the Week Award in '12 and was the MVP of the Pacific Coast League in '10.
"So many great memories, nothing biggest than my debut in Toronto," Arencibia said. "Thank you to the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays for giving me a chance to live my dream. Toronto and Canada will always hold the biggest part of my heart, I always felt at home there."