The Texas Rangers have opted to decline the 2014 option on designated hitter Lance Berkman.
Berkman, 37, played in just 73 games with the Rangers in 2013 because of injuries and hit just .242 with six home runs and 34 RBI.
The Rangers will save $12 million next year, the value of the option. Berkman made $11 million this season. The Rangers will give Berkman a $1 million buyout.
Berkman started strong for Texas but hip and knee problems limited him to just four starts in July and 12 at-bats over the final two months of the season.
While nothing has been made official, the Rangers are expected to make a qualifying offer to outfielder Nelson Cruz, which guarantees them draft pick compensation if he opts to sign elsewhere. Texas is also expecting closer Joe Nathan to opt out of his $9 million option for 2014 in hopes of getting a multi-year deal.
