Murton has retired from playing professional baseball and has been working as a scout in the Cubs organization this season, Emily Waldon of The Athletic Detroit reports.

EDGE Analysis

Murton attended spring training in 2017 with the Tigers and opened that season at Triple-A Toledo, but appeared in just seven games before getting released. After failing to latch on elsewhere following his exit from the Detroit organization, Murton officially ended his career this March after accepting the scouting position with the Cubs, the team with which he had made his MLB debut back in 2005. The 36-year-old ended up playing parts of five seasons in the big leagues with the Cubs, Athletics and Rockies and hit .286 with 29 home runs in 346 games, but he hadn't appeared in the majors since 2009 after a prolonged, record-setting stint in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Murton had another fine year in Japan, leading the Central League with a .338 batting average, and posting a strong .872 OPS. Murton is expected to return for a sixth season in Japan in 2015. If he doesn't, he'll be a contact machine somewhere.

According to Sanspo.com, Matt Murton has re-signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League for one year and $3.5 million. Many have speculated that Murton could potentially return to MLB, but he's still getting better offers in Japan. The 32-year-old has enjoyed great success over the past four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, including a .314/.361/.484 batting line to go along with with 19 homers and 85 RBI in 143 games this past year.

Matt Murton is expected to accept and offer extend his contract with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Central League. The 32-year-old outfielder is coming off another strong showing, slashing .314/.361/.484 with 19 homers and 85 RBI in 143 games. While he could have likely secured a minor league deal and spring training invitation stateside, Murton will re-up for a fifth season with the Tigers

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, Matt Murton will remain with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League. Many wondered if Murton would attempt to return to the majors after two successful seasons in Japan, but it sounds like we'll have to wait another year. The 30-year-old outfielder previously played for the Cubs, Rockies and Athletics.

The Hanshin Tigers are confident that they can get outfielder Matt Murton to re-sign. Murton, formerly of the Cubs, Rockies and Athletics, has played in Japan for the past two seasons and broke Ichiro's single-season hit record in 2010. Hanshin would love to keep him around, but most assume he'll attempt a comeback in the majors at some point.