Boston’s Bobby Kielty hits a home run during the eighth inning in Game Four of the World Series against the Colorado Rockies last October at Coors Field, in Denver.

AP / Eric Gay

NORFOLK, Va. — Bobby Kielty, who stroked a pinch-hit home run that proved to be the game-winner when the Red Sox clinched their World Series victory last year, has been granted his unconditional release.

In an abrupt move Saturday night, in a meeting with PawSox manager Ron Johnson, Kielty, 32, exercised his right to free agency, a condition that was in his contract.

“He had taken batting practice and everything seemed all right,” said Johnson, who had written Kielty into the starting lineup in right field. “He’s been great with us, a great guy. We’re sorry to see him go.”

Kielty left the ballpark while the PawSox were beating Norfolk 2-1 and was unavailable for comment. Bryan Pritz was activated off the disabled list and played right field.

Kielty had struggled throughout his career with injuries, including this season.

He became a free agent after the World Series, and the Red Sox signed him to a one-year contract in February. A hand problem hindered Kielty in spring training — he went 3 for 18 in 12 games with the Red Sox — and he began the season with the PawSox.

He went on the disabled list April 20 and had surgery on his left hand to have a bone spur removed. Kielty came back to the PawSox on May 30, but only 10 days later, he was on the disabled list again with a left oblique strain.

He returned July 2 and was 8 for 28 in eight games. In 28 games, he hit .228 with three homers and 18 runs batted in for the PawSox this season.

“He did well for us when he was in there,” said Johnson, who added that he had no idea of Kielty’s future in baseball, if any. “He never was really able to get going.”

In 599 games with Minnesota, Toronto, Oakland and Boston, Kielty hit .254 with 59 homers and 254 runs batted in.

Kielty was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox last Aug. 6 and assigned to the PawSox. He was called up to Boston on Aug. 18 when Wily Mo Pena was traded to Washington.

Kielty was 2 for 5 against Cleveland in the ALCS and became the 21st player to hit a pinch-hit homer in a World Series when he connected off Colorado’s Brian Fuentes in Game Four.

“All I know is that he did a great job for us last year,” Johnson said. “We wish him the best.”