A's release DH Billy Butler

The Oakland A's released designated hitter Billy Butler, the club announced today.
 
Butler was signed by the A's as a free agent to a three-year contract through the 2017 season on Nov. 19, 2014. He hit .258 with 19 home runs and 96 RBI in 236 games in his two seasons with Oakland after batting .295 with 127 home runs and 628 RBI in 1166 games over eight seasons with Kansas City. The 30-year-old is a .289 hitter with 146 home runs and 724 RBI in 1402 career games. Butler was batting .276 with four home runs and 31 RBI in 85 games with the A's this year. The batting average was his best over his last three seasons but his games played, home runs and RBI are the lowest totals of his career.