Rays pitcher Kyle Whitten retires from baseball at age 27
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 5:26 PM
Last updated Jun 4, 2026
Kyle Whitten announced his immediate retirement from professional baseball on June 3 via Instagram. The 27-year-old right-hander, undrafted in 2021, had a brief stint with the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate in 2024 before injuries sidelined him. After struggling in Double-A in 2026, the Rays released him on May 11. Whitten expressed gratitude for his years in the game and has taken a role as director of pitching for a Virginia youth baseball program.
- •Whitten rose through the Rays' system after going undrafted in 2021.
- •He had a 4.32 ERA in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls in 2024.
- •Injuries limited his appearances, missing the entire 2025 season.
- •Released by the Rays after a tough start to 2026 season.
- •Set to lead a youth baseball program in Virginia.
- 5:26 PMYahoo Sports — Rays pitcher announces immediate retirement from baseball at 27
"Pitcher Kyle Whitten quite nearly turned into one of the more improbable success stories in the Tampa Bay Rays’ history of player development. Undrafted out of the University of Virginia in 2021, Whitten rose the minor league ranks over the…
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