Rangers decline Kluber's $18M option for 2021

The Texas Rangers have declined right-hander Corey Kluber's $18-million team option for the 2021 season, the team announced Friday. He is now a free agent.

While the move to buy Kluber out for $1 million was expected, the Rangers may pursue re-signing him at a lesser deal, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reported Wednesday.

Texas acquired Kluber, 34, from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for reliever Emmanuel Clase and outfielder Delino DeShields last December.

The two-time AL Cy Young winner threw exactly one inning with the Rangers before missing the rest of the campaign with a shoulder injury.

Kluber, a three-time All-Star, has struggled to stay healthy the last two seasons after being one of baseball's steadiest and most reliable arms for several years.

From 2014 through 2018, Kluber threw at least 203 innings each season. He also went 83-45 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while throwing 17 complete games during that span.