FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox informed David Murphy on Monday afternoon that he would not make their roster and granted the veteran outfielder his release.
The left-handed hitter will now seek employment with another Major League team. The Orioles, the team Murphy went 0-for-1 against in a 5-3 loss on Monday, could become one of the top contenders for his services.
Hyun Soo Kim, the outfielder the O's signed from Korea, has had a tough adjustment to the Majors this spring.
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Murphy signed a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training on Feb. 29. It was somewhat surprising the 34-year-old couldn't land a Major League contract over the winter considering he had a decent 2015 season (.283 average, 10 homers, 50 RBIs) for the Indians and Angels.
Once Murphy informed the Red Sox he would opt out of his contract on Sunday, the club had 48 hours to put him on the roster or release him.
"I hope that there are offers out there," said Murphy. "I think there will be. But obviously there's no guarantee. We'll see."
At this stage of his life and career, Murphy isn't likely to accept an assignment to the Minor Leagues.
"Being at the point where I am, I'm 34 years old, I haven't played in the Minor Leagues since 2007, I have four kids now, I'm kind of pulled in a lot of different directions," Murphy said. "I think if I didn't get a big league job I would say that my mindset is leaning toward retirement. But like I said, I don't want to give a definitive answer. Hopefully that's not even going to be part of the process because hopefully I'll get a big league job pretty easily."
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The Red Sox were the team that drafted Murphy in the first round of the 2003 MLB Draft before trading him to the Rangers four years later.
However, the only way he could have made Boston's roster this spring is if there was an injury or trade involving another player. The Red Sox have Rusney Castillo, Brock Holt and Chris Young available in left field, and Travis Shaw might also become a candidate for at-bats there if he doesn't win the starting job at third base.
Though things didn't work out, Murphy appreciated the opportunity the Red Sox gave him. In 15 games, Murphy hit .265 with three doubles and three RBIs.
"I mean, I think as a man you're disappointed because you go into a situation and, as an athlete, I'm a competitor," said Murphy. "You never want to go in the manager's office and hear that you've been released. But I think there's a lot of positives to it still. Maybe there's a little bit of disappointment, but I'm not distraught in any way. I think my career will move forward from here, and like I said, we'll see."
In 10 Major League seasons, Murphy is a career .274 hitter with 104 homers, 471 RBIs and .765 OPS.