Tigers release slumping 3B Brandon Inge

"It's one of those things you can kind of see how things are going before they come. But it's no hard feelings whatsoever. This is my family, this is where I've been my whole career. I'll miss the guys, I will," Inge said. "But I have a chance to go play maybe somewhere else. It may be a good thing, a good start for me personally, but my heart will always be in Detroit for 100 percent and forever."

The 34-year-old Inge is in his 12th season in the majors, all with Detroit. He played mostly third base for the Tigers, but has also caught, played the outfield and second base.

"He's been a true soldier for a long time, even long before I was here," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's been with me here six-plus years now and like I say, a true solider."

Inge is a .234 career hitter with 140 homers and 589 RBIs. With his release, Ramon Santiago is the lone player remaining from the 2003 Tigers team that lost a near-record 119 games. Inge had been the only player that had remained with the organization uninterrupted since 2003.