Cardinals' Yairo Muñoz Got Released After Going Completely AWOL From Camp

Perhaps the most bizarre storyline out of Spring Training materialized on Monday.

The St. Louis Cardinals were forced to release utility man Yairo Muñoz after he brashly decided to completely abandon his post at camp. Reports indicate that the 25-year-old bolted for his native Dominican Republic, with no details on a potential return.

Yairo Muñoz simply left camp and returned to the Dominican Republic, John Mozeliak said, so the #STLCards released him.
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) March 7, 2020

To make Muñoz's departure all the more puzzling is the fact that he didn't even inform the Cardinals. The club found out from a teammate that he texted.

Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Muñoz going completely AWOL was shocking in the eyes of manager Mike Shildt, who claimed that his relationship with the promising prospect was strong.

Muñoz spent the last two years as St. Louis' utility infielder, and he entered camp with realistic expectations of making the Opening Day roster. However, that apparently wasn't enough for Muñoz, whose agent reportedly told the Cardinals that he was frustrated after coming to terms with the likelihood that he'd spend another season coming off the bench.

He left the team, flew home. Never contacted team. Agent tells #cardinals Munoz was frustrated with his role, “saw writing on the wall.” https://t.co/FxMQMRCxPH
— Derrick S. Goold (@dgoold) March 7, 2020

All of Muñoz's alleged antics are inexplicable and totally unprofessional, and they prove he wasn't deserving of a spot on the 26-man roster.

In 465 at bats over the last two seasons, Muñoz hit .273/.331/.391 with 10 home runs, 55 RBI, and 59 runs scored.