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Left-hander Jake Diekman is retiring after making 705 relief appearances in 13-year career

Related Topics: Jake Diekman, Cole Hamels, Ken Giles

Left-handed reliever Jake Diekman is retiring after a 13-year MLB career in which he made 705 appearances for nine teams.

“The time has come for me to retire as a Major League Baseball player,” Diekman said Friday in an X post. “Thank you, God, for this life and being able to live out my wildest dream.”

The 38-year-old Diekman hadn’t pitched in the majors this year and went 2-3 with a 5.63 ERA in 43 relief appearances for the New York Mets last season. The Atlanta Braves released him in spring training.

He posted a 27-34 record, 19 saves and a 3.