Derek Lowe has essentially retired from baseball.

The 40-year-old right-hander was released by the Rangers in late May and has not been able to latch on with a new club. "I'm officially no longer going to play the game," Lowe told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. "It's still enjoyable, but the role I was having wasn't fulfilling." Lowe enjoyed a 17-year major league career, posting a decent 4.03 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 2,671 1/3 total innings. He played for seven different teams.

Ranges released RHP Derek Lowe.

Lowe cleared waivers and was granted his unconditional release. The 39-year-old right-hander posted a 9.00 ERA in 13 innings with the Rangers.

Derek Lowe has cleared waivers.

Lowe will now either accept an assignment to Triple-A Round Rock or opt to become a free agent. The 39-year-old righty posted a 9.00 ERA in 13 innings with Texas.

Rangers designated RHP Derek Lowe for assignment.

The move clears a spot for Monday's starter, Josh Lindblom. Lowe has struggled in a mop-up role this season, posting an ugly 9.00 ERA in 13 innings. The Rangers are paying him $1.25 million in 2013.

Derek Lowe got the win against the Mariners on Saturday, pitching four perfect innings in relief of starter Nick Tepesch.

Tepesch left the game in the second inning after being hit by a line drive, forcing Lowe into action. He responded with four perfect innings, striking out one. Lowe now has a 2.35 ERA and 0.78 WHIP on the year, but as a long reliever, he has little fantasy value.

Derek Lowe has won a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster.

Lowe has a 6.23 ERA in 8 2/3 innings of work this spring, though he has been unscored upon in two out of his three appearances. The veteran right-hander will function as a swingman out of the Rangers' bullpen.

Derek Lowe was rocked for six runs over 3 2/3 innings against the Angels Thursday.

He allowed seven hits -- including a whopping four home runs -- to go along with a walk and a strikeout. Lowe went into the start having an outside shot at the fifth spot in the Rangers' rotation, but he can probably be officially pegged as a long reliever now.

Derek Lowe cruised through his Rangers debut on Friday, allowing two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings against the Giants.

Lowe was signed on a minor league deal this offseason, but is expected to crack the Opening Day roster as a long reliever provided he doesn't completely fall on his face this spring. His days of fantasy relevance are long over, but his ability to eat innings should provide value to the Rangers.

Rangers signed RHP Derek Lowe to a minor league contract.

Even though it's a minor league deal, the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant writes that Lowe "almost certainly makes the team." It will be as a long reliever, though, as Lowe is not considered a candidate for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. That said, it's certainly possible he could be given a shot if others don't work out.

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers are nearing a deal with Derek Lowe.

It would be a minor league contract but Lowe would be guarnateed a major league roster spot. The 39-year-old right-hander could work as a starter while Colby Lewis (elbow) and Martin Perez (forearm) recover from their respective injuries and then shift to a long relief role. It's a pretty nice fit for both player and team.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Rangers are "talking to" free agent right-hander Derek Lowe.

Lowe would presumably be in the running for the final spot in the Rangers' starting rotation if an agreement can be worked out. The 39-year-old right-hander posted a rough 5.11 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 142 2/3 innings last season but Texas only needs a one- or two-month fill-in.

Derek Lowe told the Boston Globe that he's willing to pitch out of the bullpen this season.

Lowe has been marketing himself strictly as a starter this offseason, but has struggled to attract interest in free agency, and recently turned down a minor league deal with the Rockies. While he's still holding out for a guaranteed contract, Lowe has finally realized that his only chance of signing with a team will be as a reliever. The 39-year-old has declined in each of the past two seasons and posted a 5.11 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 142 2/3 innings between the Indians and Yankees in 2012.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies contacted free agent Derek Lowe recently to discuss the possibility of signing him to a minor league contract.

Lowe told the Colorado front office that he is waiting for a major league contract offer, but perhaps he will grow restless once camp opens. The 39-year-old right-hander posted an ugly 5.11 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 142 2/3 innings last season between the Indians and Yankees.

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reports that Derek Lowe has heard from five teams, "all of which want him to be a swingman."

Lowe has turned down the offers, though, as the 39-year-old wants to be guaranteed a spot in a rotation despite posting a 5.11 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 142 2/3 innings this past season. "I've heard the same thing from everyone," Lowe said. "I want to be a starter and feel I have a lot left in being a regular starter in a rotation and making my 30-plus starts. I can still do that. It's frustrating to see other starters who have come off injuries get a shot, and I've never been hurt and can still help a team. I'm sure things will get going for me in January. I want to pitch. I'm nowhere near ready to retire."

Derek Lowe wants to find a starting gig this winter.

"I would like to start again," the 39-year-old free agent told the New York Post. "I knew when I came here I was going to be a reliever. My first priority is to start." The 39-year-old righty posted a 5.11 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 142 2/3 innings this season between the Indians and Yankees.

Derek Lowe tossed four scoreless innings in his Yankees' debut Monday against the Rangers.

Lowe, who was officially added to the roster Monday, notched his first save since 2001 in the process. He gave up two hits while striking out four and walking none. The 39-year-old right-hander had an 5.52 ERA prior to being released by the Indians last week, so our expectations aren't all that high, but he'll provide some veteran depth out of the bullpen while CC Sabathia (elbow) is on the disabled list.

Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the Yankees have acquired Derek Lowe.

It makes a lot of sense for the Bombers, coming on the same day that CC Sabathia was placed on the disabled list. Lowe posted an 8-10 record and 5.52 ERA in 21 starts with the Indians before being released earlier this week. He should make his debut in pinstripes at some point soon.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that free agent Derek Lowe is willing to start or relieve.

Lowe has drawn some interest since being cut loose by the Indians last week, but he's yet to find the right fit. Being open to pitching out of the bullpen could attract a few more teams to him. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reported Thursday that Lowe is likely to sign with an NL club.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun writes that the "sense is" Derek Lowe may end up back in the National League.

Lowe was designated by assignment by the Indians last week and can begin talking to teams directly if he is given his release as expected on Friday. For what it's worth, Connolly hears that the Giants are one possibility. The Orioles and Cubs have also been linked to the veteran right-hander while the Red Sox have decided to pass on a potential reunion.

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reports the Red Sox have decided to pass on Derek Lowe.

Cafardo suggests a reunion is still possible if Lowe passes through waivers, but it sounds like they won't trade anything of value for him. In addition to the Red Sox, the Orioles are expected to have some level of interest in the veteran right-hander.