JUPITER, Fla. (AP) - Outfielder Jay Gibbons was released Friday by the Florida Marlins, a setback in his bid to revive his career after admitting he used human growth hormone.
The Marlins made the move even though Gibbons hit .313 (5-for-16) this spring training with a homer and seven RBIs. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the team had no room on the roster for Gibbons."You don't want to keep a guy like that too long where he doesn't get an opportunity to get a job someplace else," Gonzalez said. "He's got some years left. He showed the bat skill a little bit. He swung the bat well. I think if somebody gives him an opportunity in the right situation, he could help."
Gibbons was named in the Mitchell Report in December 2007 and hasn't played in the major leagues since. He joined the Marlins after signing a minor league contract.
The Baltimore Orioles released Gibbons at the end of spring training a year ago. He last played in 2007, when he hit .230 with six homers, both career lows, while playing for Baltimore.
Assigned to minor league camp by the Marlins were right-handers Mike Wood and Jose Ceda, catcher Miguel Fermin, catcher Kyle Skipworth, third baseman Matt Dominguez and right fielder Michael Stanton. Outfielder Jai Miller was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.
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