Former New York Yankees infielder Gio Urshela announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Monday.
The 34-year-old enjoyed a 10-year career in the big leagues that included two seasons in the Bronx.
He signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins ahead of the 2026 season but did not make the Opening Day roster, being cut after representing Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.
‘Today is the day. The day you never dream about, the day you never imagine, the day you never expect to come… but deep down you know that one day it will arrive,’ he wrote in an Instagram post.
‘Today is the day to close this chapter as a professional player, and this is not a moment to be sad, it is a moment to be grateful to God for allowing me to play this beautiful sport that changed my life.
‘Through baseball, I met wonderful people, people who contributed so much to my career and helped shape me into the person l am today.
Former New York Yankees infielder Gio Urshela announced his retirement from baseball
The 34-year-old enjoyed a 10-year career in the big leagues that included two with New York
‘To my parents and brothers, whom I love so much, thank you for everything, for being there during those difficult moments that we were able to overcome together.’
Urshela thanked his wife, Danna, for her understanding, support and encouragement throughout his career as well as his children.
‘Dad will no longer have to spend so much time away from home. You have no idea how happy I am to finally spend more time with you,’ he added.
He began his career with rough stints with the Cleveland Guardians and Toronto Blue Jays before joining the Yankees.
He was acquired by the Pinstripes from Toronto in 2018 in exchange for cash considerations.
Urshela thrived in New York, enjoying the best two seasons of his career and establishing himself as a Yankee fan favorite.
He produced 6.4 bWAR across 291 games with 296 hits, 63 doubles, 41 homers, 153 RBIs, a .292 average and an .815 OPS from 2019 through to 2021.
His time with the Yankees came to an end in 2021 with the team’s disastrous trade for Josh Donaldson.
Urshela was traded to the Minnesota Twins from the Yankees in exchange for Josh Donaldson
The trade saw Urshela and Gary Sanchez sent to Minnesota, while it ended in frustration for the Yankees with Donaldson failing to live up to expectations in the Bronx.
Following the trade, Urshela spent the next few seasons bouncing around the league with stints at the Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and ultimately the Athletics last season.
Shortly after his announcement, tributes and messages of well wishes began to flood in from the baseball community.
‘Congratulations on a fantastic career, Gio!! Wishing you all the best in this next chapter,’ the Yankees shared, replying to Urshela’s announcement post.
‘Congratulations Gio! A great example in every sense. I’m sure you will now contribute to baseball in other ways,’ former baseball player and scout Jose Mosquera wrote.
‘Respect,’ Colombian reggaeton singer J Balvin added.
