Dodgers ace Greinke opts of contract, becomes free agent
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zach Greinke throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke officially opted out of his contract on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Times first reported.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The move was expected because it allows Greinke to seek an even bigger contract on the free-agent market. He was set to earn $71 million over the next three seasons.
Greinke, 32, is coming off a spectacular season during which he led the majors with a 1.66 ERA and 0.844 WHIP. His 19-3 record and 200 strikeouts (in 222 2/3 innings) also will make a top candidate for the NL Cy Young Award.
In his 12-season major-league career, Greinke is 142-93 with a 3.35 ERA and 1,887 strikeouts.