The Texas Rangers have released 44-year-old pitcher Bartolo Colon from his minor league contract Saturday.

The Rangers had brought the right-hander Colon into camp with a guarantee of $1.75 million if he made the major leaguer roster.

Colon vied for a spot in the Rangers' starting rotation, but he gave up nine runs (six earned) on 19 hits over 18 innings for a 3.00 ERA spanning five starts this spring. He struck out 10 and gave up four home runs.