The Houston Astros have declined the 2016 option on the contract of right-handed reliever Chad Qualls.
Houston would have had to pay him $3.5 million for next season, but instead bought out his contract for $250,000.
The 37-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Astros after beginning his career in Houston in 2004. He went 3-5 with a 4.38 ERA and four saves in 60 appearances this season.
Qualls, who played for seven other teams between stints with the Astros, had a 3.33 ERA and 19 saves in 58 appearances for Houston in 2014.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.