TORONTO, July 19 (UPI) -- The Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday designated Shea Hillenbrand for assignment.
The move came just before a 5-4 loss to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.
The six-year veteran designated hitter, who left the team last Friday, had been critical of team management, and refused to sit on the Toronto bench during a 5-2 loss on Tuesday.
The Toronto Globe and Mail reported that Hillenbrand was not included in a players-only meeting before that Wednesday night's contest.
"Yeah, I was very surprised," Hillenbrand said on the team's Web site after not being included in the lineup the night before. "They knew when I was going to be here. I should've just stayed home."
"He's been out four days (and) needs a workout in the field," said Manager John Gibbons.
Hillenbrand was hitting .301 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI in 296 at-bats.
He has a career average of .290 with 95 homers and 430 RBI.
