Brian Fuentes has announced his retirement from baseball. Fuentes' numbers have declined the last few years, but ultimately it was wanting to spend more time with his family that led him to hanging up his cleats. "Ultimately, I was just having trouble with the time away from my family," Fuentes, 37, said. "I've been playing baseball for all of their lives, but I'd never been so far away as when I was in St. Louis. I think at one point I went like two months without seeing them. Coming home and being able to put them to bed at night made me realize what I was missing." A 12-year veteran, Fuentes finishes his career with a 3.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 204 saves.

Cardinals placed LHP Brian Fuentes on the restricted list. Fuentes asked to step away from the team to deal with a personal mater. It's not clear when he might be back.

Cardinals purchased the contract of LHP Brian Fuentes from Double-A Springfield. Fuentes signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals earlier this month and tossed three scoreless innings between the organization's Gulf Coast League affiliate and Double-A Springfield. The 36-year-old southpaw really struggled with the A's this season, but the Cardinals are hoping he can be an asset in middle relief.

Brian Fuentes has been moved up to Double-A Springfield following a pair of scoreless appearances for the Cardinals' Gulf Coast League club. Fuentes will pitch Monday for Springfield and will appear in back-to-back games for them before likely being added to the major league roster. He could be ready to join the Cards by next weekend.

Brian Fuentes threw a scoreless inning Friday with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals. Fuentes will appear in at least one more game before being moved to Triple-A Memphis. When promoted, the Cardinals will use him in low-pressure situations initially.

Brian Fuentes will start for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals Friday and is also scheduled to appear for them on Saturday. Fuentes has been working out with the club after signing with the Cardinals a week ago and is now ready to appear in some games. Though the Cards haven't put a set timetable on when Fuentes will join them, he seems likely to in a week or so if all goes well.

Cardinals signed LHP Brian Fuentes to a minor league contract. Fuentes posted a 6.84 ERA in 25 innings with Oakland prior to his release, and will look to rebound this season with the Cardinals. If promoted to the majors, he'll earn a prorated amount of the veteran minimum.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that veteran reliever Brian Fuentes is "likely" to join the Cardinals. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak confirmed the club's interest on Friday, so it doesn't come as a big surprise. Fuentes was granted his release by the A's this week after posting a 6.84 ERA and 18/10 K/BB ratio over 25 innings this season. The 36-year-old southpaw will likely pitch in middle relief.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak confirmed Friday that he has interest in free agent left-hander Brian Fuentes. This confirms a report by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com last week. Fuentes recently cleared release waivers after being designated for assignment by the A's earlier this month. The veteran southpaw can sign with another team for a pro-rated portion of the major league minimum. Heyman reported Friday that six teams have interest and Mozeliak expects there to be some resolution this weekend.

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers have no interest in Brian Fuentes. Fuentes was officially released by the Athletics on Wednesday after being designated for assignment last week. The A's are on the hook for his remaining salary (about $2.5 million another $250,000 to buy out his 2013 option), but he's now free to sign anywhere at the major league minimum. The 36-year-old left-hander will likely catch on somewhere as a middle reliever or left-handed specialist.