Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - The Boston Red Sox have opted not to exercise the $7.5 million club-option on pitcher Dustin Hermanson for the 2003 season. Instead, the team will give the righthander a $200,000 buyout.

After being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals prior to last season, Hermanson suffered through numerous injuries and appeared in just 12 games for the Red Sox, pitching only 22 innings while posting a 1-1 record with a 7.77 ERA.

Hermanson went down with a strained groin in his first start of the season on April 3, and later suffered a staph infection in his left elbow that kept him sidelined until August 22.

"Due to injuries, Dustin had a difficult and disappointing season. However, no one worked harder to try to return from his injuries than Dustin did," Red Sox interim general manager Mike Port said. "With the hope that he would enjoy good health next season, we believe he continues to be capable of better performance, and thus, the Red Sox may well investigate the possibility of another arrangement with Dustin for next season."

There is a chance that the 29-year-old Hermanson could pitch for the Red Sox next year, but it would be for significantly less than the $7.5 million he was scheduled to receive.