UPDATE: It’s official: Jim Edmonds – 40-year-old outfielder who spent the last couple of months of the 2010 season with the Reds – has announced his retirement.

From MLB.com:

He had hoped to play one more year with the Redbirds, but an injury to his left Achilles tendon and surgery ultimately prevented him from doing so.

“After speaking with Dr. [George] Paletta [the Cardinals' team physician] and a number of doctors about the potential risk of future permanent damage, I have decided to retire,” Edmonds said in a statement issued by the club. “Although I feel that I can still play and contribute, the risk of permanent injury is too much for me to chance. As much as I regret this announcement, I feel that it is for the best.”

Edmonds finishes with 393 home runs in 2,011 Major League games with the Angels, Cardinals, Padres, Cubs, Brewers and Reds. He hit .284 with a .376 on-base percentage, .527 slugging percentage, 1,949 hits, 998 walks and 1,251 runs scored. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and a four-time All-Star.

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From earlier:

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Rick Hummel is reporting that Jim Edmonds will retire.

Edmonds, 40, had agreed to a one-year, non-roster contract and was due in camp today.

But his injured right foot has not come around and Edmonds, who has been in California in the offseason, has informed general manager John Mozeliak that he will be retiring.

The club will make a fornal announcement at 10:30 a.m. (St. Louis time).

Edmonds, who played for San Diego, the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee and Cincinnati besides the Anaheim Angels and the Cardinals, will finish with 393 career homers and eight Gold Gloves.

An Achilles tendon injury, suffered last season when he played for the Reds, required an offseason procedure to alleviate severe right foot pain. He had an injection in his foot recently and had planned to try to report to camp, but his foot didn’t respond.

Edmonds didn’t play in the 2009 season.

Edmonds hit .207 (6-for-29) with 3 homers and 3 RBIs for the Reds in 2010. He was acquired by the Reds on Aug. 9, 2010, in a trade for Chris Dickerson.

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