Andruw Jones officially released by Dodgers

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Andruw Jones was unconditionally released by the Dodgers today, officially ending his miserable tenure with the team.

Jones was granted his release in exchange for deferring most of the $22 million remaining on his contract over the next six years, a move that will result in the Dodgers saving $12 million this season. The Dodgers had until today to trade or release Jones.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said that Jones requested a trade at the end of the season. ‘He let it be known that he could not come back and play,’ Colletti said.

Colletti said he never envisioned that the player he signed to a two-year, $36.2-million contract could falter the way that he did. Jones hit .158 with three home runs and 14 runs batted in last season for the Dodgers.

We’ll have more on Jones at latimes.com/sports.

-- Dylan Hernandez