Pittsburgh Pirates release Brad Hawpe

The Pittsburgh Pirates have released outfielder/first baseman Brad Hawpe, according to Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Biertempfel passes along a quote from Hawpe, where the veteran noted "the game has gotten faster and I didn't catch up." That sounds a bit like someone that's contemplating retirement, but nothing official has been announced regarding a decision.

Walker in line for extension?

The Bucs' second baseman may be next to get a new contract.

Hawpe signed a minor league contract that included an invitation to major league spring training with the Pirates in January. He appeared in 16 exhibition games with Pittsburgh, hitting .139/.225/.222 over 40 plate appearances this spring.

Hawpe spent part of the 2012 season with the Texas Rangers before being released by the club. He hit .260/.382/.382 with six doubles and three home runs over 152 plate appearances for the Rangers' Double-A affiliate.

Hawpe last appeared in the majors in 2011 as a member of the San Diego Padres. That season he hit .231/.301/.344 with 10 doubles and four home runs over 216 plate appearances. The 33-year-old owns a career batting line of .276/.368/.480 over parts of eight seasons in the bigs.

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