Five years after he signed a long-term contract extension with the team, and three years after he pitched in the big leagues for the last time, the Ricky Romero era is over in Toronto.

The Blue Jays announced Saturday the team has given Romero his release.

The one-time All-Star and team ace has been pitching in the minor leagues with Triple-A Buffalo since 2013.

After a career year in 2011, when Romero finished 15-11 with a 2.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 225 innings, the now 30-year-old's game deteriorated, finishing 2012 at 9-14 with a 5.77 ERA and only getting through two starts in 2013 before heading to the minors.

Romero finished with a career 51-14 record with the Blue Jays with a 4.16 ERA and 622 strikeouts in 801.1 innings. He was in the last year of a five-year, $30.05 million contract signed ahead of the 2011 season.