The Los Angeles Dodgers exercised the club option for Scott Podsednik on Tuesday, and the outfielder now has 72 hours to accept the contract or become a free agent.
Podsednik was acquired from the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline last season and hit .262 with five stolen bases in 39 games in Los Angeles. He had hit .310 with 30 steals in the first half in Kansas City.
"Our thought process after watching him play for us and seeing what he added to our club was that we would like to have him back," said Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. "He obviously has versatility in the field, plus he has an added component in the speed he has.''
When asked if Podsednik could be an everday left fielder, Colletti said they would "have to wait and see. ... He was last year until he got hurt."
Plantar fasciitis ended his season in early September.
The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Royals in 2010 for $1.75 million with incentives that could hit $2 million. That deal had a club option for $2 million in 2011 with $300,000 in incentives. By reaching 525 plate appearances last year, Podsednik earned the right to decline the option if it is picked up.
Podsednik is a career .279 hitter with 301 steals while playing for the Mariners, Brewers, White Sox, Rockies, Royals and Dodgers. He was a member of the 2005 champion White Sox.
The Dodgers would have owed Podsednik a $100,000 buyout if they didn't pick up his option. If he doesn't accept it, he does not receive the buyout.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.