Los Angeles, CA -- (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers declined a $9.25 million option on pitcher Brad Penny and instead bought out their 2008 Opening Day starter for $2 million on Wednesday.

Penny, 30, joins a number of Dodgers that have become free agents this offseason, including fellow starter Derek Lowe, and offensive stars Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal.

The right-handed Penny had won 16 games in each of his previous two seasons with LA, but went just 6-9 with a 6.27 earned run average in his injured- plagued 2008 campaign that saw him start just 17 games.

The nine-year veteran, who was placed on the disabled list on three separate occasions due to shoulder issues last year, has a career record of 94-75 with a 4.06 ERA in 249 career games -- 245 starts -- with the Marlins and Dodgers.