Mike Hampton retires after 16-year career

PHOENIX (AP) - Veteran left-hander Mike Hampton has retired after 16 major league seasons, ending a bid to earn a roster spot with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Hampton announced his decision Saturday, saying in a statement that he had the passion to continue but that physically “it was just time to shut it down.”

The often-injured Hampton was 148-115 with a 4.06 ERA in 419 games, including 355 starts.

He began his career with Seattle in 1993 and played for the Houston Astros, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves and Diamondbacks.

He led the National League with 22 wins in 1999 while with Houston. But the two-time All-Star had just 10 wins in the past five seasons.

Hampton had elbow surgery in 2005 and 2007, and rotator cuff surgery in 2009.