MILWAUKEE, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Former all-star pitcher Mark Mulder has decided to retire from baseball, a former Oakland A's teammate says.
Mulder, who has made only six appearances since 2006 because of rotator cuff injuries, and didn't pitch at all in 2009, has decided to call it a career, former teammate and Oakland A's infielder Eric Chavez told MLB.com Monday.
The Web site said Chavez spoke by phone to Mulder after reports surfaced in Milwaukee Friday that the two-time all-star had opted to retire rather than sign a minor-league contract with the Brewers.
"I know one thing for sure was that if Mark didn't feel right, he wasn't going to come back," Chavez told MLB.com. "He wanted to come back 100 percent and didn't want to suffer like he has been the last couple of years."
Mulder's agent, Gregg Clifton, told the Web site Mulder hasn't made a decision.
Mulder, 32, was the American League Cy Young Award runner-up with Oakland in 2001, and was an all-star in 2003 and 2004. He has a career 103-60 record with a 4.18 ERA in parts of nine seasons with the A's and Cardinals.
