Garland's option declined by Dodgers

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Dodgers have declined a $10 million mutual option on pitcher Jon Garland for next season, making him eligible for free agency.

The right-hander gets a $2.5 million buyout because the team declined; he would have earned a $1 million buyout if he had declined.

Garland was acquired from Arizona ahead of the July 31 trade deadline for infielder Tony Abreu. He was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six games for the Dodgers, and didn't make their playoff roster. He was 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 games with Arizona.

He made $6.25 million this year. Because he was traded, the Dodgers cannot offer him salary arbitration if he is a Type A free agent.

Updated November 5, 2009