Jimenez, Kubel become free agents


The Cleveland Indians exercised the 2014 club option on right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez but he voided the contract, the team announced Friday.

The team also declined a club option on outfielder Jason Kubel.

Both players are free agents. The Indians’ 40-man roster is at 32 players.

Jimenez turned down the $8 million option but could be offered a $14 million qualifying offer by the club, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Jimenez went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 32 starts this season. He was particularly effective after the All-Star break, going 6-5 with a 1.82 ERA in 12 starts. That includes a 4-0 record with a 1.09 ERA in six September starts.

Kubel had a batting line of .216/.293/.317 over 259 at-bats in 97 games, mostly with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played only eight of those games with Cleveland. Kubel would have made $7.5 million next season. Instead, he receives a $1 million buyout.