Montero designated for assignment by Cubs after he blasts Arrieta

Catcher Miguel Montero and the Cubs have severed ties.

Montero has been designated for assignment by the Cubs Wednesday after he blamed pitcher Jake Arrieta for the team’s loss against the Washington Nationals.

The catcher responded, saying goodbye on Twitter. He called it an honor to play for the Cubs: “It was an awesome ride. Winning the World Series was simply fantastic. Thank you to my teammates – good luck to everyone of you.”

The Cubs are calling catcher Victor Caratini up from Iowa to replace Montero.

This all comes after Montero expressed frustration with Arrieta for allowing stolen bases in the Cubs’ Tuesday night’s 6-1 loss to Nationals.

“It really sucked because the stolen bases go to me, and when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn’t give me any time,” Montero said after the game. “So it’s just like, ‘Yeah OK Miggy can’t throw nobody out,’ but my pitcher doesn’t hold anybody on. …

“That’s the reason why they were running left and right today because they know he was slow to the plate. Simple as that. It’s a shame that it’s my fault because I didn’t throw anybody out.”

First baseman Anthony Rizzo told ESPN 1000 Wednesday morning that he disagreed with the way Montero handled the situation after Tuesday night’s game. And he criticized Montero’s decision to talk to the media rather than address the matter privately.

“He’s frustrated. He’s obviously frustrated. When anytime anyone steals seven bases, Miggy gets frustrated.

“It’s his second time barking at the media and not just going to his teammates. As a veteran like he is, you’d think he’d make smart decisions about it.”

This wasn’t the first time Montero has spoken out about the Cubs to the media. He criticized manager Joe Maddon last season during a radio interview for lack of communication and lack of playing time in the regular season and postseason.

“We win as a team and we lose at a team. When you start pointing fingers, I think that labels you as a selfish player,” Rizzo told ESPN 100.

“We have another catcher who throws everyone out who steals.”

Montero took to Twitter and said his goodbye in a series of tweets. He ended his goodbye, tweeting “#WeAllGood.”

Montero has played in the Major Leagues for 12 seasons, including the last three with the Cubs. This season, he’s hitting .286 with four home runs and eight RBI.