Braves release 2B Dan Uggla

— -- The Atlanta Braves have requested unconditional release waivers for struggling second baseman Dan Uggla, parting ways with a former starter still owed over $18 million over the remainder of this year and next.

The Braves announced Uggla's release on their official Twitter account Friday, five days after suspending the slumping slugger for what manager Fredi Gonzalez called "an internal matter."

In his fourth season with the Braves, the 34-year-old Uggla was batting .162 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 48 games and 130 at-bats.

Uggla lost his job to Tommy La Stella when the rookie second baseman was called up May 28.

The Braves' patience with Uggla appeared to wear thin last Sunday when he was suspended one game for reporting just 30 minutes before the start of a game in Chicago.

Atlanta has not announced a corresponding roster move for Uggla's release.

The Braves acquired Uggla in a November 2010 trade with the Miami Marlins and signed the three-time All-Star to a $62 million, five-year contract before his first game with Atlanta. He is slated to make $13 million in 2015 -- his final season under the deal.

Uggla had a 33-game hitting streak and connected for 36 homers in his first season with the Braves, but most of his numbers have been trending down the past couple of years. He hit just .179 with 22 homers and 171 strikeouts in 2013, when Atlanta won the NL East and lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division series.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.