Brendan Donnelly told Doug Miller of MLB.com on Tuesday that he has decided to retire.

"I'm pretty grateful for the career I've had," said Donnelly. "I've done about everything in baseball that a player can do. I got to the big leagues, won World Series, made an All-Star team, and made a lot of friends along the way. Donnelly, 39, was released by the Pirates last July after posting a 5.58 ERA and 26/25 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings and drew minimal interest over the winter. He calls it a career with a 3.22 ERA over 386 major league appearances.

Pirates released RHP Brendan Donnelly.

Donnelly was a huge bust after signing a one-year, $1.35 million contract over the winter, posting a 5.58 ERA and a 26/25 K/BB ratio over 38 appearances. The 39-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment by the club on Sunday.

Pirates designated RHP Brendan Donnelly for assignment.

The Pirates signed Donnelly to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with performance-based incentives over the winter using money they saved by non-tendering closer Matt Capps. How's that working out? The 38-year-old Donnelly had one stint on the disabled list and posted a 5.58 ERA in 38 games while healthy.

Pirates activated RHP Brendan Donnelly from the 15-day disabled list.

Donnelly has been sidelined since April 28 due to a left oblique strain. He returns to a 7.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 11 appearances.

Brendan Donnelly (oblique) will be activated from the disabled list Thursday.

Donnelly has been out of commission since April 28 due to a left oblique strain. He will resume his role as a setup man once activated.

Brendan Donnelly (oblique) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Tuesday.

Assuming he suffers no setbacks, there's a chance he could be activated for the start of the club's homestand on Wednesday. Donnelly has been sidelined since April 27 due to a left oblique strain.

Brendan Donnelly (oblique) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Friday.

Donnelly is scheduled to throw another side session on Sunday followed by a simulated game in Philadelphia early next week. If all goes well, he should be activated by the start of the team's next homestand on Wednesday. Donnelly posted a 7.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over his first 11 appearances before going on the disabled list with a left oblique strain.

Brendan Donnelly (oblique) played catch indoors on Sunday.

Donnelly is still at least a week from returning to big league action, and possibly two. He was placed on the disabled list last week -- retroactive to April 28 -- with a left oblique strain and left behind a 7.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. "It would be a stretch to get him back before the next homestand," Pirates manager John Russell said after Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.

Pirates placed RHP Brendan Donnelly on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 28, with a left oblique strain.

The Pirates were hoping that Donnelly would be able to avoid the disabled list, but he hasn't pitched since April 27 and has shown little progress this week. The righty will leave behind a 7.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP.

Brendan Donnelly is day-to-day with what he described as discomfort in his left side.

He's been sidelined since Tuesday, but the tight-lipped Bucs decided not to reveal the injury until Sunday. Donnelly doesn't think he will have to go on the disabled list. With the Pirates bullpen already employing eight pitchers, there shouldn't be a need for him to do so.