ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Derek Holland is a free agent after the Texas Rangers declined their $11 million option on his contract and instead chose to pay the left-hander a $1.5 million buyout.
The AL West champions announced the move Monday, but left open the possibility of re-signing Holland.
Holland was part of Texas’ only two World Series teams in 2010 and 2011, but has missed significant time because of injuries the past three seasons.
“The Rangers appreciate the many contributions that Derek Holland has made to this franchise, both on the field and in the community,” general manager Jon Daniels said in a statement. “While today’s action doesn’t necessarily close the door on our future interest in Derek, we want to thank him for the impact he has made here.”
In 179 career games for Texas, Holland is 62-50 with a 4.35 ERA. He was a 25th-round selection in the June 2006 amateur draft and signed with the Rangers the following May.
Holland was 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA in 22 games this season while also spending time on the 60-day disabled list for a third consecutive season. He missed two months with left shoulder inflammation.
In other news, the Rangers as expected said they will make a $17.2 million qualifying offer to free agent outfielder Ian Desmond, who has until next Monday to accept. If he declines and signs with a different team, the Rangers would receive an extra draft pick following the first round next year.
The Rangers didn’t make qualifying offers to first baseman Mitch Moreland or right-hander Colby Lewis.
Desmond made the All-Star team this year and hit .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs after signing an $8 million, one-year deal with the Rangers in late February and converting to the outfield. He was a shortstop the previous seven years in Washington, but turned down a $15.8 million qualifying offer from Nationals last offseason.
Texas also reinstated designated hitter Prince Fielder from the 60-day disabled list, a necessary procedural move even though the slugger signed through 2020 has ended his playing career.
The 32-year-old Fielder announced in August that he wouldn’t be able to play again after his second neck surgery in just more than two years. He will go back on the 60-day DL before the 2017 season.
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