Matt Stairs has decided to retire.

Stairs was released by the Nationals earlier this week after batting just .154/.257/.169 with no home runs and only two RBI in 74 plate appearances. The 43-year-old native of Canada will hang up his cleats having slugged 265 career home runs over 19 major league seasons.

Nationals released 1B Matt Stairs.

Stairs was designated for assignment last week after batting just .153 with zero home runs in 65 at-bats for the Nationals. The 43-year-old seems likely to retire.

Nationals designated 1B Matt Stairs for assignment.

He was cleared to make room for the newly-acquired Jonny Gomes on the active roster. Stairs, 43, batted just .153 (10-for-65) with zero homers as a member of the Nationals. He could make some sense for a contender off the bench, but it's possible his career could finally be over.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post thinks Matt Stairs could be released in order to free up a roster spot for the newly acquired Jonny Gomes.

It's the logical move, as Stairs is a waste of a bench spot right now, sporting a .154/.257/.169 batting line while going just 6-for-39 with no extra-base hits as a pinch-hitter. It could be the end of the line for the 43-year-old if he is in fact cut loose.

Matt Stairs went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI Tuesday in the Nationals' 11-5 setback to the Angels.

It was Stairs' first RBI of the season, requiring 48 at-bats to reach the inauspicious mark. It also was his first multi-hit effort since May 10, 2009 -- a span of 210 games. In fairness, the 43-year-old was a one-and-done pinch-hitter in most of those contests. In other words, we probably have just witnessed the last multi-hit game of Stairs' career.

Matt Stairs will serve as the Nationals' designated hitter in their interleague matchup with the Orioles on Friday.

The start will be just the second of the season for Stairs, how hasn't been turning in many pinch hits off the Nats bench, as he's batting .091 with six walks and zero home runs through his first 28 plate appearances. Obviously, if he keeps up at this rate, he may not be long for the Nats' otherwise very young 25-man roster.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said Matt Stairs has a "good chance" of cracking the Opening Day roster.

We figured as much. Though he can't really play the outfield anymore, Stairs is still a fine pinch-hitter, hitting four home runs and three doubles in such situations last season.

Nationals signed OF Matt Stairs to a minor league contract.

The deal also includes an invitation to spring training, where Stairs will look to claim a spot on the Nationals' 2011 bench. He hit six homers and six doubles in 99 at-bats for the Padres in 2010 and is a fine left-handed pinch-hitting option. Granted, he is a liability in the outfield.

Matt Stairs said Wednesday that he is hoping to play 1-2 more years.

Stairs, 42, has collected five home runs, five doubles and 15 RBI in 88 at-bats this year for the Padres but he can barely play the outfield and may have trouble finding a major league roster spot if the Friars don't re-sign him. The big man signed a minor league contract with San Diego last winter.

Matt Stairs hit a pinch-hit homer in the Padres' loss to the Brewers on Saturday in Milwaukee.

It was his 21st career pinch-hit home run, and Stairs now sits atop of baseball's leaderboard in that category. He's seen very limited playing time this year but has done all the Padres have asked.

Matt Stairs (knee) said that he feels "ready" to come off the disabled list.

The Padres haven't indicated when he will return, but perhaps they will wait until Thursday's series opener against the Astros. The veteran slugger hasn't played since June 6 due to a strained right knee.

Matt Stairs (knee) ran and hit before Monday's game at Petco Park.

Padres manager Bud Black said after the workout that Stairs is "getting really close" to returning. The veteran outfielder was placed on the disabled list in early June after straining a muscle near his right knee.

Matt Stairs tested his right knee by taking early batting practice and running at full speed on Friday.

"Tomorrow, if it's pain-free, hopefully I'll be able to jump back in there," said Stairs. Padres manager Bud Black said it is doubtful that Stairs will be able to return against the Marlins this weekend, but Monday against the Rockies looks like a pretty good possibility.

Matt Stairs (knee) has begun jogging, but he isn't close to being activated from the disabled list.

"He progressing. He's hitting on-field, but the one thing he hasn't been able to do is run with intensity," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He's not quite to that stage yet. He's doing some light jogging but the knee is still a little sore." Stairs, 42, has been on the disabled list since June 11 due to a strained right knee. The team doesn't believe the injury will require surgery.

Matt Stairs (knee) said he felt good after taking 20 swings off a tee before Friday's game.

There's some hope that he may be able to return for next week's series against the Rays, but that's probably a little optimistic. The injury is unfortunate, as this would be the perfect time to utilize his bat as the designated hitter.

Matt Stairs (knee) hopes to take some swings in the batting cage as soon as this weekend.

The 42-year-old thought the worst at first, but an MRI last Friday revealed that Stairs has two bruises and a cyst in his left knee cap. It could have been a lot worse, but Stairs has no intention of rushing his way back from the injury. As such, there's no current timetable for his return.

Matt Stairs, who was placed on the disabled list on Friday with a strained right knee, has two bruises in the bone of the knee as well as two cracks in the cartilage and a Baker's cyst.

"It's not the worst thing ever, but it's something we need to be pretty careful with," said Padres head trainer Todd Hutcheson. The 42-year-old has had four surgeries on the knee, so there's likely some wear and tear at work here. Still, Stairs said he hopes to return from the disabled list when he is eligible on June 22.

Padres placed OF-IF Matt Stairs on the 15-day disabled list with right knee soreness.

Stairs has had a hard time walking since tweaking his knee while rounding first base against the Phillies on Sunday. He is currently awaiting results of an MRI. The veteran slugger is batting .191/.264/.319 with one home run and seven RBI in 47 at-bats this season.