Glaus not retired, but out for start of '11

Free agent infielder Troy Glaus is not officially retiring. But he will sit out the start of the 2011 season and possibly beyond, according to his agent, Mike Nicotera.

“Troy had opportunities to sign with more than one club this off-season and each time he was presented with a particular opportunity, he weighed it against spending more time with his wife and family,” Nicotera said. “After a good deal of thought and discussion in each instance, he decided to pass on playing.

“At this point, Troy is just looking forward to becoming a dad for the first time (his wife is due at the end of February) and to being able to spend a spring at home for the first time in many years. As for his future in terms of baseball, he hasn’t closed any doors permanently.”

Glaus, 34, spent last season with the Braves after signing a one-year, $1.75 million free-agent contract. He earned an additional $950,000 in appearance-based incentives.

While one source said Glaus received major-league offers, none was enticing enough to persuade him to play. The first-base/DH market was flooded this off-season, and Vladimir Guerrero, Russell Branyan and Nick Johnson are among those still without jobs.

Glaus had a monstrous start in 2010, batting .286/.380/.496 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs through June 17. But he struggled for the rest of the season, hitting .180/.297/.275 with just three homers and 18 RBIs.

The Braves placed him on the disabled list Aug. 18 with a sore left knee after acquiring first baseman Derrek Lee from the Cubs. Glaus returned on Sept. 2 and played sparingly the rest of the month.

However, the Braves included him on their post-season roster and Glaus started a spectacular double play from third base in the 10th inning of Game 2. He had appeared in only nine games at third the previous two regular seasons.