Rangers decline option on Berkman

The Texas Rangers announced Thursday that they declined the $12 million club option on designated hitter/first baseman Lance Berkman.

Instead, the Rangers will pay Berkman a $1 million buyout.

Berkman, 37, batted .242 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in 73 games this season. He missed significant time with hip and knee injuries.

After a hot start to the season in which he batted .319 with two home runs and 15 RBIs in the first month, Berkman's production tailed off with just 19 RBIs in his final 52 games.