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Rincon becomes free agent

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The 30-year-old Juan Rincon posted a 5.23 ERA in 10 appearances with the Tigers this season. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

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• Rincon's career statistics

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

05/18/09 2:55 PM ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers announced Monday that reliever Juan Rincon had become a free agent after declining his Minor League assignment, a decision that was reported on Friday.

Rincon's agent, Ed Setlik, told MLB.com Friday afternoon that his agent had declined his assignment to Triple-A Toledo. Detroit designated Rincon for assignment Tuesday to make room on the roster for Dontrelle Willis. Teams had until Friday to claim him on waivers.

The 30-year-old right-hander gave up six runs on 12 hits over 10 1/3 innings this season after making the team as a non-roster invitee. His workload dropped as the season went along, and the combination of Joel Zumaya's return from the disabled list and Ryan Perry's late-inning potential essentially reduced Rincon to longer outings. That wasn't likely to change, and the need for relief around the big leagues made free agency more enticing.

Setlik planned to start gauging interest from other clubs on Monday.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.