Full Breakdown
Matt Beaty Announces Retirement After Five-Year MLB Career
8/25/2026, 10:28:49 PM
Retirement Announcement
Matt Beaty, a 33-year-old left-handed utility player who contributed to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2020 World Series title, posted on Instagram in late August that he is ending his professional baseball career. He reflected on a two-year period without an at-bat and described the decision as “hard” but final.
Career Overview & Highlights
Beaty was selected by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2015 MLB Draft and debuted on April 30, 2019, becoming the first Belmont University alumnus to reach the majors since 1978. Over five seasons he appeared in 305 MLB games for the Dodgers (2019-2021), Padres (2022), Giants (2023) and Royals (2023).
He posted rookie numbers in 2019—268 plate appearances, nine home runs, 46 RBIs, 19 doubles, a .458 slugging percentage and a .775 OPS. In the shortened 2020 season he was on the Dodgers’ NLCS roster, reaching base in all three plate appearances. A shoulder injury in May 2022 limited his playing time, and his final professional stint was 53 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Double-A affiliate in 2024 before his release in September.
Timeline of Key Milestones
- April 30, 2019 – MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- June 21, 2019 – Walk-off two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies.
- 2020 – Part of the Dodgers’ World Series-winning roster.
- March 2022 – Traded to the San Diego Padres for pitcher River Ryan.
- 2022-2023 – Played for the Padres, Giants and Royals, compiling a .247 career batting average, 18 home runs and 96 RBIs in 290 regular-season games.
- 2024 – Last professional appearances with the Diamondbacks’ minor-league system.
- Late August 2024 – Announces retirement via Instagram.
Data & Statistics
- MLB games: 305 total.
- Career batting average: .247.
- Runs batted in: 96.
- Rookie season (2019): 268 PA, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 19 2B, .458 SLG, .775 OPS.
- Postseason: 15 games with the Dodgers, including three in the 2020 championship run.
Official Statements & Responses
In his Instagram post, Beaty explained that the two-year gap since his last at-bat had been filled with “questions and back-and-forth” about continuing to play, and he concluded that “walking away is hard” but felt he recognized his final game when it occurred. The Dodgers organization has not issued a formal comment beyond acknowledging his contribution to the 2020 championship roster.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I believe it’s time to finally officially announce that I’m entering the next chapter of my life,” — Matt Beaty
- “The time since then has been filled with questions and back-and-forth,” — Matt Beaty
