Blue Jays dump Frank Thomas

TORONTO, April 20 (UPI) -- The Toronto Blue Jays Sunday released aging designated hitter Frank Thomas.

The move comes a day after he criticized the team for benching him for Saturday's contest against the Detroit Tigers.

He was hitting only .167 with three homers and 11 RBI in 16 games (60 at-bats).

The Toronto Sun reported the release came after a closed-door meeting with General Manager J.P. Ricciardi.

"Basically, I've been told that I'm not going to be in that lineup," Thomas told reporters Saturday. "I see it as something else is going on. I'm angry. I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this (but) we'll see how that plays out."

The two-year contract the 39-year-old DH signed with Toronto before the 2007 season calls for a $10 million payment for the 2009 season.

That salary would have been guaranteed if he had compiled 304 more at-bats this season.