Rocco Baldelli is expected to announce his retirement on Wednesday and accept a role in the Rays' front office.

"I don't anticipate ever playing baseball again. I'm retired. The paperwork will be filed," Baldelli said Tuesday. "And you know what. The only time I feel like it's good to retire is when you're happy to retire. And I'm happy." The 29-year-old Baldelli made a comeback last season and even homered in his first at-bat back with the Rays, but was eventually taken off the ALDS roster due to leg fatigue. The former 2000 first-round pick calls it a career with a .278/.323/.443 career batting line and 531 hits. It's a shame that injuries and illness had to snuff out what once looked like a promising career.

Rocco Baldelli has been taken off the Rays' ALDS roster due to left leg fatigue.

As noted by Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, the team says leg fatigue is a symptom of his mitochondrial disorder. Because Baldelli was taken off the roster, he is now ineligible should the Rays reach the ALCS. Willy Aybar will take his place on the roster and will be the DH in Game 2 Thursday against C.J. Wilson.

Rocco Baldelli has been awarded a spot on the Rays' roster for the ALDS.

Rays manager Joe Maddon ultimately opted for Baldelli as an extra right-handed bat over Willy Aybar. He'll be the DH in Game 1. The 29-year-old outfielder batted .208 with one home run and five RBI after joining the team in September.

Rocco Baldelli delivered one of the Rays' four homers on Sunday, but the Orioles still won the contest 8-7.

Baldelli was afforded a place on the bench when rosters expanded on September 1. Today he stepped to the plate for the first time all year in the majors and delivered a pinch-hit, two-run blast to make it an 8-7 game. The Rays lost anyway, but it was a fun story nonetheless. B.J. Upton, Evan Longoria, and Ben Zobrist also homered in the contest for the Rays.

Rays purchased the contract of OF Rocco Baldelli from Triple-A Durham.

Baldelli, 28, hasn't exactly been lighting it up in the minors and probably won't play a major role for the playoff-bound Rays down the stretch. They love him in the clubhouse, though, so he's worth having around.

Rocco Baldelli is making a case to be the Rays' DH down the stretch.

Baldelli, who decided in late July to resume his playing career, is hitting .333 with a pair of homers at Triple-A Durham after starting out at High-A. Rays manager Joe Maddon, when asked if Baldelli could join the team in September, replied, "of course he can," and added, "That was the plan from the beginning. We'll see how this all shakes out." Baldelli could be worth an add in AL-only leagues next month.

The Rays have promoted Rocco Baldelli to Triple-A Durham.

Baldelli's unlikely comeback continues. The 28-year-old batted .283/.298/.370 with four doubles, six RBI and six runs scored in 46 at-bats with High-A Charlotte. There's still a chance he could join the big club in September.

Rocco Baldelli is 1-for-8 through two games with Single-A Port Charlotte.

Baldelli abandoned his special assistant job with the Rays over the weekend and is trying to work his way back to the big leagues. So far he's not off to a good start, and he has to be considered a longshot to reach the majors this year despite the .744 OPS that he posted last season in Boston.

Rocco Baldelli will attempt to resume his playing career on Monday with the Rays' Single-A affiliate in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Baldelli accepted a minor front-office position with the Rays at the start of spring training, but must have grown bored with that side of the baseball world rather quickly. The 28-year-old outfielder hit .253/.311/.433 with seven home runs in 150 at-bats for the Red Sox last season. He's going to have trouble reaching the big leagues in Tampa Bay.