ST. LOUIS -- The Cubs feel that veteran outfielder Shane Victorino is Major League-ready, but they don't have a spot for him, so he was released on Monday.
Victorino, 35, signed a Minor League deal with the Cubs in Spring Training but was bothered by a strained left calf. He eventually joined Triple-A Iowa and batted .233 in nine games with five RBIs.
When Jason Heyward was injured on Friday, the Cubs opted to activate Matt Szczur from the disabled list rather than add Victorino, a 12-year veteran. Szczur is out of options.
"We really like Matt and think he's a key contributor, and as a result, Shane didn't really have a fit," general manager Jed Hoyer said on Monday. "Given his career and the fact he's Major League-ready, having him sit down there and bide his time didn't make a lot of sense. He'll find a job, he should find a job. We really enjoyed having him."
Victorino, a two-time All-Star, has 1,274 career hits with the Phillies, Padres, Dodgers, Padres, Angels and Red Sox. He won World Series titles with the Phillies in 2008 and Red Sox in 2013.
He last played in the Majors in 2015, for the Angels. He batted .230 with one home run and seven RBIs in 71 games that season between Los Angeles and Boston.