The Philladelphia Phillies declined their $5.5 million option on infielder Placido Polanco on Thursday, making him a free agent. The 37-year-old will instead earn a $1 million buyout.

The decision effectively ends Polanco's second go-around in Philadelphia. He was previously with the team during his age-26 through -29 campaigns. Between 2010 and 2012, Polanco hit a collective .281/.330/.356 in 1,453 plate appearances and knocked just 13 home runs and 56 doubles. His 2012 campaign was marred by back, wrist, and ankle injuries that sent him to the 15-day DL twice and limited him to just 90 games, his lowest total since 1999.

However, he did reach the 2,000-hit plateau in mid-May.

Polanco earned All-Star and Gold Glove honors during the 2011 campaign, in which he hit .277/.335/.339 while playing third base. He signed a three-year, $18 million deal prior to the 2010 season with a mutual option for a fourth.