Tejada given minor league release by Orioles

Miguel Tejada, disappointed because he wasn't promoted to the majors, has been given a release from his minor league contract by the Baltimore Orioles.

ORLANDO -- Miguel Tejada, disappointed because he wasn't promoted to the majors, has been given a release from his minor league contract by the Baltimore Orioles.

The player told ESPNdeportesLosAngeles.com that he requested his release because Baltimore informed him that it didn't have space on its roster for him. With this, Tejada did the same as his countrymen Vladimir Guerrero and Manny Ramirez, who asked for their releases from Toronto and Oakland, respectively.

"I think I did my part, showing them that I can still play at the highest level, but apparently Baltimore does not have a space for me," Tejada said via phone on Monday.

"Because of this, it's better for me to be free. I prefer to return with my family and keep testing the market to see if another team would give me a chance," he said. "I'm not retiring, I'll be ready if anyone needs me."

In May, Baltimore signed Tejada to a minor league deal to evaluate him before deciding whether it needed him in the majors. Tejada worked in the team's extended spring training camp in Florida before moving to Triple-A where he hit .259 (35-in-135) with five doubles and 18 RBIs in 36 games, primarily as a third baseman in Norfolk in the International League.

Tejada said he agreed to sign with Baltimore on the understanding he'd be in the minors only for a couple of weeks.

"No grudges, they didn't have space, and I understand perfectly," Tejada said.

Tejada, 37, was a three time All-Star in four seasons with Baltimore, which signed him to a six-year, $72 million deal before the 2004 season. He was traded to the Houston Astros after 2007, but returned to Baltimore in 2010.

He has a .285 career average with 304 homers and 1,282 RBIs in a 15-year career with Oakland, Baltimore, Houston, San Diego and San Francisco. He hit .239 in 91 games with the Giants in an injury-plagued 2011.