Gabe Kapler is putting the former-player-turned-manager title aside for the time being. The Greeneville Drive’s (Boston’s low Class A affiliate) manager has announced that he intends to try to return to the major leagues. A Red Sox press release stated that Kapler, 32, will be looking for playing opportunities during the offseason.

Kapler issued the following statement in the release:

“Managing was incredible for me this year. I learned so much about baseball, about the young men I had an opportunity to lead, and about myself. Ultimately, the experience reawakened the competitor in me. I miss the battle. I still need to be on the field as a player. My body is as healthy as it has ever been, and I must take advantage of that. Managing was an important component of my development, and I am eternally grateful to the Red Sox for having provided me the opportunity to tackle a new challenge.”

Kapler played in the majors from 1998-2006 for Detroit, Texas, Colorado and Boston. He was a member of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox and played in Japan. In nine major league seasons he hit .270/.331/.418