By Tony Jackson
Staff Writer
The Dodgers on Thursday officially declined next year's $9 million contract option on left-hander Randy Wolf, choosing instead to pay the $500,000 buyout. While that means Wolf likely will file for free agency in the coming days, it doesn't necessarily mean Wolf won't be back with the Dodgers in 2008.
Wolf made his 18th and final start of the season on July 3, lasting just three innings Atlanta and giving up six runs. That left him 9-6 with a 4.73 ERA. Shortly thereafter, he went onto the disabled list with a shoulder injury that eventually required season-ending surgery.
Given that there are questions about Wolf's health, there doesn't figure to be much interest in him on the free-agent market. That means the Dodgers stand a decent chance of re-signing Wolf -- a former El Camino Real High and Pepperdine standout -- at a much lower salary for next season.