Grimsley's agent told The Associated Press he thought this would mark the end of the 38-year-old reliever's career. "My guess is Jason's done playing," Joe Bick said in a telephone interview. "I couldn't anticipate that he would play again, but that's his call. "He didn't want to be a distraction to the team." General manager Josh Byrnes said Grimsley asked for his unconditional release in meetings with team officials Tuesday and Wednesday. "We accepted his request," Byrnes said. Thirteen federal agents searched Grimsley's home in Scottsdale, Ariz., for six hours Tuesday, but they would not reveal what they found. Investigators who cracked the BALCO steroid scandal in San Francisco said Grimsley initially cooperated in the probe but withdrew his assistance in April. He allegedly made "extensive statements" about illegal drug use, "for the purpose of performance enhancement," before ending his cooperation, according to the court documents. In asking for a warrant, IRS Agent Jeff Novitsky told a federal judge that investigators wanted to search Grimsley's house for "any and all records showing contact or relationship with any and all amateur or professional athletes, athletic coaches or athletic trainers" regarding illicit drug use and purchases. Grimsley's locker was empty when the clubhouse was opened to the media before the afternoon game against Philadelphia at Chase Field. As for the remainder of Grimsley's $825,000 salary, "there was no negotiation," Bick said. "Released players get paid." Grimsley was 1-2 record with a 4.88 ERA in 19 games as a long reliever this season, his first with Arizona. Diamondbacks pitcher Terry Mulholland said Grimsley addressed his NL West-leading teammates after Tuesday's loss to the Phillies. "He expressed to us that he had too much respect for us to allow this to bring us down," Mulholland said. "He's that kind of guy." Grimsley began his big league career with Philadelphia in 1989 and pitched for Cleveland, California, the New York Yankees, Kansas City, Baltimore and Arizona. He has a career record of 42-58 with a 4.77 ERA. According to court documents, Grimsley failed a baseball drug test in 2003. Authorities said when he was cooperating, he admitted to using human growth hormone, amphetamines and steroids.
Grimsley released a day after steroid search
PHOENIX (AP) -- Pitcher Jason Grimsley was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, a day after federal agents searched his home as part of an investigation into steroid use by athletes.
