Vladimir Guerrero officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Friday.

Guerrero cited a desire to spend more time with his family, as well as the two operations that he's endured on his right knee, as the primary factors in his decision. The 38-year-old owns a tremendous .318/.379/.553 career slash line with 449 homers, 1496 RBI and 181 stolen bases. He was named the American League's most valuable player in 2004, was named to nine All-Star teams, and won eight Silver Slugger awards in his illustrious career.

Vladimir Guerrero has yet to report to the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League because he is attending to a family matter in the Dominican Republic.

Guerrero signed with the Ducks in early April after he struggled to find the right fit in MLB. It's not clear when he'll be ready to join the team, but the 38-year-old isn't ready to give up on his career. He's currently sitting on 449 career home runs.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Vladimir Guerrero has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

It was Rosenthal that reported last month that Vlad was attempting a comeback. Obviously the independent leagues is a long way from the majors, but perhaps if he mashes someone will give him a shot on a minor league deal. Guerrero didn't appear in a major league game in 2012, batting .358/.364/.679 with four homers in 12 minor league games for the Blue Jays before asking for his release.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Vladimir Guerrero is attempting a comeback.

Vlad didn't appear in a major league game in 2012, batting .358/.364/.679 with four homers in 12 minor league games for the Blue Jays before asking for his release. The 38-year-old played winter ball in his native Dominican Republic, hitting .188 over eight contests. Guerrero is willing to accept a minor league deal, so someone seems likely to give him a shot. He's obviously a longshot to have any sort of impact in 2013, though. Rosenthal says that the Yankees are not interested in Vlad.

Vladimir Guerrero will play winter ball for the Licey Tigers in his native Dominican Republic.

Vlad didn't appear in a major league game in 2012, batting .358/.364/.679 with four homers in 12 minor league games for the Blue Jays before asking for his release. Slated to turn 38 in February, Guerrero hit .290/.317/.416 with 13 homers in 145 games for the Orioles in 2011. He'll almost surely have to take a non-guaranteed minor league deal next spring if he chooses to continue his career.

According to FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi, Vladimir Guerrero is not close to signing with any club.

Guerrero was probably better off practicing patience in the Blue Jays' farm system, where he was at least drawing regular playing time. But he asked for and was granted his release after just eight games, and is now struggling to attract new offers. The 37-year-old was 10-for-33 (.303) at Triple-A Las Vegas.

According to FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi, the Tigers have "lukewarm" interest in Vladimir Guerrero.

It's "not clear if they will pursue him at this point," Morosi concludes. Guerrero asked for and was granted his release from the Blue Jays earlier this week after going 10-for-33 (.303) at Triple-A Las Vegas without gaining consideration for a promotion to the major leagues. The 37-year-old could struggle to find another contract.

Blue Jays released DH Vladimir Guerrero.

Guerrero issued an ultimatum following Monday's game with Triple-A Las Vegas that he wanted to be called up to the majors or released. So the Jays cut him loose after deciding that he wasn't a good fit for the big league roster. The 37-year-old was hitting .303 (10-for-33) with two doubles, a triple and zero walks in eight games with Las Vegas. While Vlad doesn't plan to retire, the market for him figures to be pretty limited at this point.

Updating a previous item, Vladimir Guerrero's agent Bean Stringfellow told Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com that his client has not opted out of his contract with Blue Jays.

It's worth noting that Stringfellow said "not yet," which leaves open the possibility that he could soon opt out. Either way, it's clear Vlad has no intention to retire. "Nothing could be further from the truth," said Stringfellow. "He is in great shape. He is hitting very well and running very well." The 37-year-old went 4-for-5 on Monday night and is hitting .303 (10-for-33) with two doubles and a triple in eight games with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Vladimir Guerrero is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch on the right hand Saturday at Triple-A Las Vegas.

It shouldn't push back potential arrival with the Blue Jays much. Vlad has cooled off a bit since being bumped up to Triple-A but is still batting .313/.320/.625 with four homers over 50 plate appearances between his two minor league stops.

Vladimir Guerrero is hitting just .176 (3-for-17) over his first four games with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Vlad was on fire at High-A Dunedin, batting a cool .450/.450/1.100 with four homers over 20 plate appearances, but his bat has stalled thus far at the Triple-A level. The 37-year-old has just one extra-base hit (a double) to his credit and while this is hardly surprising, he has yet to draw a walk. The Jays likely won't promote him until he starts to produce.

The Blue Jays will not promote Vladimir Guerrero on Tuesday.

"We need someone with defensive versatility," manager John Farrell said. While Vlad won't be promote Tuesday, he can't be far off. The veteran has batted a cool .400/.400/.960 with four homers over 25 plate appearances between High- and Triple-A.

According to the Toronto Sun, the ''speculation is growing'' that Vladimir Guerrero is on the verge of joining the Blue Jays.

Guerrero could join the team as early as Tuesday against the White Sox, though nothing has been confirmed. Guerrero had four home runs in his first 20 at-bats prior to being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday. He projects to be used at DH with Toronto, with Edwin Encarncion playing first base.

Vladimir Guerrero will join Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

Vlad had little trouble at High-A Dunedin, batting a cool .450/.450/1.100 over 20 plate appearances. The Jays have not set a timetable for when he'll join them, but Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star speculates that he'll make his Blue Jays' debut on June 25 against the Red Sox.

Vladimir Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a double Monday in an extended spring training game.

Guerrero, who signed a minor league deal with the Jays earlier this month, began playing in extended spring training games on Friday. The Jays plan to decide by Wednesday whether he's ready to join a minor league affiliate. He isn't promised anything, but there's an opening for him in the DH spot now that Adam Lind has been demoted to the minors. We would steer clear outside of AL-only fantasy leagues, though.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell acknowledged that the demotion of Adam Lind could speed up Vladimir Guerrero's arrival with the team.

When asked how Vlad's return has been affected by the Lind demotion, Farrell replied, "Quickly shortened up." Guerrero has reportedly been impressive during workouts at the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Florida and will get in game action there next week. While the Jays initially said he wouldn't join them until at least June, it sounds like he could be an option before the end of the month.

Vladimir Guerrero reported to the Blue Jays' minor league complex in Dunedin, Florida on Tuesday morning.

He still needs to take a physical before getting on the field for the first time. There are no guarantees that Vlad will eventually be added to the Blue Jays' roster, and if he is, it won't happen until sometime in June, at least. "I think there are frequent conversations on how we can improve the team," manager John Farrell said. "One would have his name in it, one would have other names in it. I wouldn't pinpoint it to the time when Vlad is major league ready. The one thing that I will say to that is that there are ongoing conversations that we look for ways to best improve where we are today."

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said he hasn't guaranteed Vladimir Guerrero a roster spot, and if the veteran is called up, it likely won't be until at least June.

"It's strictly a matter of, there's no such thing as a bad minor league contract," Anthopoulos said. "There's no guarantees on behalf of the club. There is no financial commitment. ... We continue to look for depth in all areas whenever we can." Anthopoulos did say that the team will allow Vlad to look for an opportunity elsewhere if it looks like he's not going to get a shot with the Jays. If he is called up by Toronto, he's expected to serve as an occasional DH and pinch-hitter.

Blue Jays signed DH Vladimir Guerrero to a minor league contract.

This confirms a report by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. The plan is for Vlad to report to extended spring training in Dunedin before the team figures out how he can fit into their plans. The 37-year-old batted just .290/.317/.416 with 13 homers, 63 RBI and a career-low .733 OPS last season with the Orioles, so expectations should be pretty modest, but he could have some value as a part-time designated hitter and a right-handed bat off the bench. Edwin Encarnacion shouldn't lose any at-bats at this point, so the biggest potential loser here might be Adam Lind.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Blue Jays have signed Vladimir Guerrero to a minor league contract.

Guerrero is expected to report to extended spring training before being reevaluated. The deal is worth $1.3 million prorated for time spent in the major leagues. The 37-year-old batted just .290/.317/.416 with 13 homers, 63 RBI and a career-low .733 OPS last season with Baltimore and would likely function as a right-handed bat off the bench and part-time DH if he eventually joins the big club.