DANA POINT, Calif. — Brad Penny's $9.25 million option was declined Wednesday by the Los Angeles Dodgers, making the 30-year-old right-hander eligible to become a free agent.

Penny, who receives a $2 million buyout, was 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA in 17 starts and two relief appearances last season. He was bothered by shoulder problems for much of the year and went on the disabled list three times: from June 17 to Aug. 8, Aug. 14 to Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 through the end of the season.

He was acquired by the Dodgers from Florida in July 2004 and won 16 games in both 2006 and 2007.