Texas Releases Daniel Bard

The pitching career of former Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard continues its downward spiral. The Texas Rangers have released Bard after several tough outings with their Single-A farm team.

Bard, who is now 28, pitched for the Hickory, N.C. team in the South Atlantic League. Bard retired only 2 of 18 batters he face. He walked 9 batters and hit 7 others.

That wildness caused the Red Sox to release him in 2012. After 3 years as a solid reliever, Bard wanted a chance to be a start in '12. It didn't work out well.

He has not been able to recover the form that made him a top 8th-inning pitcher for the Sox.