MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Mark Sweeney refused an outright assignment to the minor leagues Thursday and elected to become a free agent.

The former University of Maine All-American center fielder was used mainly as a pinch-hitter this season, hitting .219 with one home run and six RBIs in 73 at-bats over 71 games. He was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds last January for outfielder Alex Ochoa. He was on the disabled list twice this season.

He required surgery last October to repair two torn cartilage muscles in his throwing shoulder. That prevented him from playing the outfield. He also tore a hamstring muscle in spring training.