Casey Blake is retiring from baseball. Blake was released by the Rockies at the end of spring training after going 3-for-20 in the Cactus League and has been unable to find another opportunity. "My career has to end at some point," the 38-year-old told the Des Moines Register. "If I was going to play, it would probably only be one more year anyway. I just decided to shut it down. And I'm OK with the decision." Blake tallied 1,186 hits and 167 home runs during a 13-year major league career.

Rockies released 3B Casey Blake. Blake entered spring training as the favorite for the starting third base job, but struggled to stay healthy and batted just .150 (3-for-20) with a homer and seven strikeouts. The 38-year-old may just opt for retirement at this point. The Rockies appear content to go with Jordan Pacheco and Chris Nelson as stop-gap options until top prospect Nolan Arenado is deemed ready for the big leagues.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, Casey Blake is unlikely to make the Rockies' 25-man roster. Blake is just 3-for-20 this spring with no walks and seven strikeouts, and there are lingering concerns about the health of his neck. So the Rockies are likely to cut him loose before Opening Day to avoid paying his $2 million salary for 2012. Jordan Pacheco and Chris Nelson will keep the hot corner warm until top prospect Nolan Arenado is ready.

Casey Blake returned after an eight-day absence on Monday, finishing 0-for-2 with a walk in a victory over the Angels. He is now 0-for-10 this spring with four strikeouts. Meanwhile, Jordan Pacheco is batting .455 in 22 at-bats, and has reached base safely in all 10 of his games. Quite simply, Blake is running out of time to prove he can be a reliable contributor this season.

Casey Blake (neck) is back in the Rockies' Cactus League lineup Tuesday against the Angels. Blake missed a little over one week due to stiffness in his neck. He has between now and Opening Day to prove that he's capable of handling starting third base duties.

Casey Blake is out of the Rockies' lineup again on Tuesday due to lingering neck stiffness. "It's a little better," Blake said Tuesday morning. "I will take it easy again, get some some treatment on it and hope it feels better for tomorrow." The veteran third baseman is 0-for-9 with four strikeouts thus far in Cactus League play. And inactivity isn't going to improve his rhythm.

Casey Blake was scratched from Monday's game against the Padres due to neck stiffness. Blake underwent surgery on his neck in September, so the stiffness is likely raising red flags throughout Rockies camp. But the initial thought is that it has nothing to do with that procedure and is only a minor issue. Brandon Wood drew the Cactus League start at third base against San Diego.

Casey Blake has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Rockies, pending a physical. The contract is not guaranteed and includes $1 million in performance-based incentives. Blake, 38, batted .252/.342/.371 with four homers and a .713 OPS over 239 plate appearances in 2011 before undergoing season-ending neck surgery in September. If healthy, he'll give the Rockies another short-term option at third base until top prospect Nolan Arenado is deemed ready for the big leagues.

The Indians have expressed interest in bringing back free agent Casey Blake. Blake has experience at both corner infield/outfield positions and could provide right-handed hitting depth for an Indians team that's looking for insurance behind oft-injured Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo, and Matt LaPorta. The 38-year-old is coming off a season that saw him hit just .252/.342/.371 with four homers and a .713 OPS over 239 plate appearances, but he'll likely only require a one-year, incentive-laden deal this offseason.

Dodgers declined 3B Casey Blake's $6 million club option for 2012. Blake underwent neck surgery earlier this month and carries many question marks heading into baseball's free agency period. The 38-year-old should be able to land an incentive-laden deal, but he might not be ready to contribute until May or June.