Aaron Heilman has elected free agency.

The 33-year-old right-hander spent the entire 2012 season at Triple-A Round Rock, posting a 4.02 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 43/16 K/BB ratio over 47 innings of work. He'll have to accept a minor league deal with a spring training invite if he plans to continue his playing career.

Rangers signed RHP Aaron Heilman to a minor league contract.

Heilman was released by the Mariners over the weekend after giving up one run over four appearances this spring. The 33-year-old has been assigned to Triple-A Round Rock and will serve as relief depth.

Mariners released RHP Aaron Heilman.

Heilman was hoping to win a bullpen spot as a non-roster invitee but was unable to do so despite allowing just one run over four appearances. He'll look to catch on elsewhere.

Mariners signed RHP Aaron Heilman to a minor league contract.

The deal includes a spring training invite. Heilman was released by the Diamondbacks last July after posting a 6.88 ERA over 32 relief appearances and finished the year in the minors between the Pirates and Phillies organizations. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 4.93 ERA over the past four seasons, but could benefit in the pitcher-friendly environment.

Pirates signed RHP Aaron Heilman to a minor league contract; assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Heilman logged 35 1/3 innings of relief at the major league level with a 6.88 ERA and 1.67 earlier this season before the Diamondbacks pulled the plug. The veteran then signed with the Phillies organization and posted an 8.38 ERA over nine appearances for Triple-A Lehigh Valley before getting released on Saturday. He may get called back to the bigs when rosters expand in September, but he'll be a non-factor.

Phillies released RHP Aaron Heilman.

They signed him to a minor league contract in late July. Heilman posted an 8.38 ERA over nine appearances for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Heilman was released by the Diamondbacks earlier this season after opening the year with a 6.88 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings of relief. He'll likely have to settle for another minor league contract elsehwere.

Phillies signed RHP Aaron Heilman to a minor league contract; assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Heilman was released by the Diamondbacks earlier this week after opening the season with a 6.88 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings of relief. He'll have to dominate at Triple-A in order to climb back to the majors.

Diamondbacks released RHP Aaron Heilman.

The 32-year-old right-hander will hit the free agent market after posing a disappointing 6.88 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings for Arizona. Heilman will likely have to settle for a minor league contract.

The Diamondbacks are releasing Aaron Heilman.

Heilman inked a one-year, $2 million free agent contract with Arizona this winter and was in the running for a rotation spot late in spring training. He eventually settled for a setup role, before being demoted to mid-relief and then mop-up. The 32-year-old right-hander wound up posting a 6.88 ERA in 35 1/3 innings of work.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson is concerned with reliever Aaron Heilman's recent pitching.

"We've got to get Aaron on the right track, no question about it," Gibson said. "Let's hope he feels OK. He said he felt fine. We'll keep working at it." Heilman has allowed three runs in his past two outings, ballooning his already ugly ERA to 8.68. Even though he is the owner of a solid 20/5 K/BB ratio in 18 2/3 innings of work, hitters are batting .357 against Heilman, and he might be dealing with more than a case of simple bad luck.

Diamondbacks activated RHP Aaron Heilman from the 15-day disabled list.

Heilman is finally over the shoulder tendinitis that landed him on the 15-day disabled list in mid-April. The veteran right-hander will return to a middle relief role.

Aaron Heilman (shoulder) will pitch in extended spring training Wednesday.

The Diamondbacks were optimistic over the weekend that Heilman was only days away, so he could be activated following Wednesday's outing. The 32-year-old right-hander was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis last month after posting a 12.15 ERA over his first four appearances.

Aaron Heilman (shoulder) had a positive bullpen session prior to Sunday's game and could be activated from the disabled list soon.

"He looked good, was throwing free and easy," manager Kirk Gibson said. "Maybe he'll do another simulated game. But I could tell he's feeling better, stronger. He had good movement on the ball." Heilman went on the disabled list last month with right shoulder tendinitis. Gibson doesn't think Heilman will need any rehab outings before rejoining the team. Expect to see him back within the next week or so.

Aaron Heilman (shoulder) threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday.

Heilman went on the disabled list earlier this month with right shoulder tendinitis, but could be ready to face live hitters as soon as Sunday. "I watched him today and his arm was nice and free," said Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson. "He was throwing good and getting the ball out in front. If he continues to go that way and get all of his pitches where he wants to get them, he will go faster." It sounds like he could be back in the early part of May.

Diamondbacks placed RHP Aaron Heilman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 14, with right shoulder tendinitis.

Heilman's velocity has been way down, so there's obvious reason for concern. He has allowed nine runs on 13 hits -- including three homers -- over his first 6 2/3 innings this season. The D-Backs have called up right-hander Josh Collmenter to take his place in the bullpen.

Aaron Heilman failed to secure the final spot in the Diamondbacks' season-opening rotation.

Heilman was lit up for eight runs in just two innings Sunday against the Reds, so the Diamondbacks opted for a mildly safer option in Armando Galarraga. Both pitchers should get looks throughout the season, but neither will carry any fantasy value in mixed leagues.

Aaron Heilman got bombed by the Reds on Sunday, giving up 10 baserunners and eight runs (six earned) in just two innings.

He's probably lucky he's already been named Arizona's fifth starter, as the horrific outing ballooned his spring ERA to 7.03. Heilman was once a highly touted starting prospect, but now 32 years old, his ceiling is likely what Braden Looper did for the Cardinals in 2007.

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported that the Diamondbacks are leaning toward giving Aaron Heilman the fifth starter job.

This move would mean Armando Galarraga, who has one more start on Friday, would convert to a reliever. Heilman's 5.24 ERA in 22 1/3 innings this spring is barely fifth starter material. Fortunately for him, Galarraga's 8.44 ERA is nothing more than bullpen material.

Aaron Heilman struggled against the Indians Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings.

He did strike out five but was undone by a pair of longballs -- one from Asdrubal Cabrera and another from Travis Buck. Heilman has been stretched out this spring and given a shot to win a spot in the rotation, but he simply hasn't pitched well enough, holding a 5.24 ERA over 22 1/3 frames. The right-hander is almost surely in line to return to the bullpen for the regular season.

Aaron Heilman went five strong innings Thursday, holding the Dodgers to two runs on six hits.

He struck out three batters, with the only blemish coming in the form of a two-run homer from Matt Kemp. Heilman is the first D'Backs starter to go five innings this spring, though he hasn't pitched particularly well with a 4.76 ERA and just seven strikeouts over 17 innings.