The Boston Red Sox told Ryan Sweeney on Thursday night that he will not be placed on their 25-man roster for Opening Day, the Boston Globe reported.

Sweeney, 28, an outfielder from Cedar Rapids, hit .260 in 63 games for the Red Sox in an injury-plagued campaign in 2012.

Sweeney is now a free agent, eligible to sign with another Major League team.

Sweeney hit only .217 for Boston in spring training this year. He was competing with several outfielders for a spot on the roster, including 22-year-old rookie Jackie Bradley Jr., who was hitting .431 with two homers and 11 RBIs through Wednesday.

Under terms of Sweeney's contract, he does not have to accept a minor league assignment in the Boston organization.

Sweeney made $1.75 million with the Red Sox in 2012 and has seven years of Major League experience. He has played with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland A's and Boston.

Sweeney is a lifetime .280 hitter. He worked with Hall of Famer Rod Carew during the offseason on his swing, hoping to hit with more power, but there were no tangible results in spring training.

Sweeney graduated from Cedar Rapids Xavier High School in 2003 and was a second-round draft pick by the White Sox.