1st Openly Gay MLB Player David Denson Retires at Age 22

Minor league first baseman David Denson announced he has retired from professional baseball, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reported.

Denson was the first openly gay baseball player in an MLB-affiliated league.

"I wanted to share something with you that I know some of you may not have seen coming or understand," Denson wrote on Facebook (h/t MiLB.com's Danny Wild). "I want to thank all of you for the amazing love and support over the years. But my baseball journey has come to an end. Even though my baseball journey has ended, a new door is opening and I will continue to push forward!"

Denson also told Haudricourt that he hopes to remain connected with the game in retirement.

The 22-year-old spent the 2016 season with Milwaukee's high-A and single-A affiliates. He had a .212/.308/.335 slash line in 114 games to go along with 10 home runs and 45 RBI.

Splitting his time between first base and the outfield, Denson appeared in 318 games over four years in the minor leagues. He batted .229 with 29 homers and 135 RBI.