Jays grant Guerrero’s request for release from minor-league deal

Toronto (CP) — The Toronto Blue Jays have granted outfielder Vladimir Guerrero’s request to be released from his minor-league contract.

The 37-year-old free agent hit .303 in eight games with the triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League. He had two doubles, a triple and four RBIs.

The Blue Jays signed Guerrero to a minor-league deal on May 10. He reported to extended spring training in Dunedin, Fla., and then appeared in four games for single-A Dunedin where he batted .450 with a double, four home runs and eight RBIs.

“He played (Monday) night and he decided that was enough for him,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Tuesday at Rogers Centre before Toronto’s game against the Washington Nationals. “He felt he was worthy of a callup and we weren’t prepared to do that right now.”

Anthopoulos said there was a handshake agreement that allowed Guerrero to leave at any time.

Meanwhile, the Jays— who lost 4- 1 to the Washington Nationals Tuesday in Toronto — will place starting pitcher Brandon Morrow on the 15-day disabled list today day after tests confirmed he has a strained left oblique muscle.

Morrow came out of his start in the first inning Monday after nine pitches in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Nationals at Rogers Centre.

Morrow is 7-4 with a 3.01 earned-run average in 13 starts this season.