Jeff Francis: Retiring from baseball

Francis announced his retirement from baseball Tuesday, the Denver Post reports.

The lefty turned in strong numbers in his time with the Blue Jays' Triple-A Buffalo affiliate in 2015 (2.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP), but was knocked around at the major league level and ultimately decided "it was time" to hang up the cleats. A first-round pick in 2002 (ninth overall), he helped lead the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, going 17-7 with a 4.22 ERA, and ranks third in Rockies history with 64 career wins.