There have been numerous reports about a clash between Dontrelle Willis and the Orioles front office last season.

The pitcher's agent was prepared to file a grievance against the team, which was ultimately dropped, after the club placed him on the restricted list.

Willis left Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate last April and the two sides disputed whether he had received permission from the organization.

In July, Buck Showalter acknowledged Willis' retirement. Willis declined to go into details, other than say there was an illness in the family.

"Baseball is important, but not as important as my family, so I had to go home," he said. "Once everything got better with the situation, everybody wanted me to get out (of the house)."