Lucroy announced Tuesday that he has retired from professional baseball, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old catcher has been a free agent since last July and bounced around several organizations with limited success over the past few seasons, so his decision to step away from the game comes as little surprise. He'll officially sign his retirement papers Saturday and enter Milwaukee's Wall of Honor after he made both of his two career All-Star Game appearances as a member of the Brewers. His 11-year big-league career also included stops with the Rangers, Rockies, Athletics, Angels, Cubs, Nationals and White Sox, with Lucroy retiring with a lifetime .274 average, 108 home runs and 30 stolen bases over 1,209 games.

Lucroy rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett and is now a free agent, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy lost out on a 40-man roster spot when Atlanta acquired Stephen Vogt. Now 35, Lucroy hit .316/.409/.368 across 23 plate appearances in the majors this season. He isn't likely to be signed by another club as a primary starter but could be a stable backup for a contending team.

Atlanta outrighted Lucroy to Triple-A Gwinnett after he cleared waivers Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy was up with the big club for about a week and a half before losing his spot on the 40-man roster when Atlanta acquired Stephen Vogt from the Diamondbacks. The veteran backstop will head to Triple-A Gwinnett for now, though it wouldn't be surprising if he eventually requested his release in pursuit of an opportunity with another organization.

Lucroy was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy's contract was selected in early July, but he appeared in just two games, going 1-for-5 at the plate. He's no longer needed as a catching option after Atlanta acquired Stephen Vogt from Arizona on Friday.

Lucroy's contract was selected by Atlanta prior to Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy inked a minor-league deal with Atlanta in mid-May after he was released by the Nationals in April. The veteran backstop slashed a less than impressive .220/.351/.330 across 31 games with Triple-A Gwinnett, but he'll still return to the big leagues with the scuffling William Contreras getting sent to Gwinnett in a corresponding roster move. Lucroy is starting Wednesday's game against the Pirates behind the dish and he figures to share the catching duties with Kevan Smith going forward. Pitcher Grant Dayton (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room for Lucroy on the 40-man roster.

Lucroy signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy has bounced around a ton, going from the Red Sox to the Phillies to the White Sox to the Nationals just within the past year. Atlanta is desperate for catching depth with Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) and Alex Jackson (hamstring) both out, and it will be the latest club to add the veteran. He could get a look fairly soon, but it's been five years since Lucroy was a fantasy factor and the odds are against him becoming one again at his advanced age.

Lucroy cleared waivers Thursday and has elected free agency, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Monday, but he was unable to find another spot on a 40-man roster. Rather than serving as organizational depth for the Nationals, the 34-year-old will be free to sign with another team at some point in 2021. Lucroy appeared in five games for Washington this year and went 5-for-14 with a double and two RBI.

The Nationals designated Lucroy for assignment Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy stuck around with the Nationals for a few days as a third catcher after Yan Gomes and Alex Avila were both activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday, but he became expendable when Washington reinstated three more players from the list Monday. Unless another team opts to put in a claim for Lucroy, he'll likely head to the Nationals' alternate site upon clearing waivers.

Lucroy isn't starting the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader. However, Tres Barrera will take his place behind the dish for the nightcap, batting eighth.

Lucroy will catch for the Nationals and bat eighth in Tuesday's season opener versus Atlanta, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lucroy and Tres Barrera were both promoted to the 26-man roster Tuesday after the top two catchers on the depth chart -- Yan Gomes and Alex Avila -- were placed on the COVID-19 injured list. With Gomes and Avila both expected to remain in quarantine for at least a week while they wait to clear the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Lucroy looks poised to serve as the Nationals' top catcher to begin the season. The two-time All-Star has drawn positive reviews in the past for his skills as a pitch framer, but he hasn't finished with an OPS over .700 in any season since 2017.