Flushing, NY -- (Sports Network) - If Julio Franco is to continue his quest to play professional baseball into his 50s, he'll have to do it elsewhere, as the New York Mets announced on their web site that the 48-year-old infielder and pinch-hitter has been designated for assignment on Thursday.

If no other club trades for him or claims him off waivers in 10 days, then Franco will become a free agent. He started seven games this season, and saw other opportunities as a pinch-hitter, compiling a .200 batting average, one home run and eight RBI in 50 at-bats. Franco, who will turn 49 next month, batted .273 with two homers and 26 RBI with the Mets in 2006.

The native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic broke into the majors in 1982, and is a three-time All-Star and a career .298 hitter with 173 home runs, 1,186 RBI, and 2,576 hits with Philadelphia, Cleveland, Texas, the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee, Tampa Bay and Atlanta.

The Mets completed a flurry of moves on Thursday in addition to designating Franco, as they also activated outfielder Lastings Milledge from Triple-A New Orleans, fired hitting coach Rick Downs, hired future Hall-of-Famer Rickey Henderson to join the coaching staff, and signed infielder Marlon Anderson to a minor-league contract.