5/7 Todd Wellemeyer retires

Pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, trying to make a comeback with the Cubs, announced his retirement from baseball Saturday. Wellemeyer, 32, was pitching for Triple-A Iowa and appeared in one game on Thursday. He had signed a Minor League deal with the team in January. He was slowed this spring by a right hip injury and added to Iowa’s roster on May 5. He started and gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings, striking out two.

This was the right-hander’s second stint with the Cubs. He was originally drafted by the team in the fourth round in 2000 and spent parts of three seasons with Iowa from 2003-2005.

Wellemeyer also pitched for the Marlins (2006), Royals (2006-07), Cardinals (2007-09), and Giants (2010). He finishes with a 32-34 record and 4.83 ERA in 208 games (75 starts) with 459 strikeouts in 614 2/3 innings.

– Carrie Muskat