Jaha

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Oakland Athletics designated hitter John Jaha announced his retirement before Saturday night's game against the Texas Rangers.

Jaha, 35, played parts of 10 seasons for Milwaukee and Oakland, but a series of injuries limited him to 12 games this season. Jaha was in a 1-for-27 slump and was hitless in his last 23 at-bats when he decided to quit.

He was batting .089 this season with three doubles and eight RBI. Jaha finishes with a .263 career batting average, 141 homers and 490 RBI.

Over the last two seasons, Jaha had been on the disabled four times, twice this season. Foot and thigh problems made it difficult for him to plant his foot and swing the bat, and he has also been limited by the effects of offseason surgery on his left shoulder.

"That's all I can take," Jaha said. "I just wanted to help the team. I just didn't have it. I wasn't helping the team and that's the hard part."

Jaha was originally selected by Milwaukee in the 14th round of the 1984 draft, but didn't make his major league debut with the Brewers until 1992. He had his best season in 1996 when he had 34 homers and 118 RBI.

Injuries forced Jaha to miss large portions of the 1997 and 1998 seasons with the Brewers, then he signed a free agent minor league contract with the A's in February 1999.

Jaha earned an All-Star berth in 1999 during a comeback season in which he posted a career high with 35 homers and drove in 111 runs. Last season, Jaha spent two stints on the disabled list and was limited to 33 games, hitting .175 with one homer and five RBI.

Jaha's retirement opened a roster spot for right-hander Erik Hiljus, called up from Triple-A Sacramento to start Saturday night's game.

The Athletics also recalled outfielder Eric Byrnes from Sacramento and optioned catcher Tom Wilson to the RiverCats.