Los Angeles Dodgers Part Ways with Casey Blake, Jon Garland

Third baseman Casey Blake and starting pitcher Jon Garland both had their 2012 options declined by the Los Angeles Dodgers, making them free-agents.

Had the options been accepted, Blake would have made $6 million next year and Garland would have made $8 million. Instead, both players were bought out.

Both Blake and Garland missed significant time in 2011 due to injury and posted less-than-stellar statistics.

The 38-year-old Blake appeared in 63 games for the Dodgers, hitting .252 with four home runs and 26 RBI in 202 at-bats. He was banged up all year, missing time due to an elbow injury, a cervical strain and neck surgery.

Garland, 32, went 1-5 with a 4.33 ERA in nine games for the team in blue and white, himself missing most of the year due to a strained oblique muscle and right shoulder inflammation.

Blake arrived in Los Angeles partway through the 2008 season and had his best year with the Dodgers in 2009, hitting .280 with 18 home runs and 79 RBI in 139 games. In 3.5 years with the team, he hit .260 with 49 home runs and 192 RBI.

2011 was Garland’s first year with the team.

Coming off an injury-riddled, subpar season, it may be difficult for the aging Blake to find a decent job for 2012. He will likely have to settle for a part-time, utility role.

Garland, who is still relatively young, will likely find a back of the rotation-type job, much as Chris Capuano did with the New York Mets in 2011.