PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have declined their $2.6 million 2009 option on outfielder Jason Michaels.

The 32-year-old does not get a buyout. Michaels batted .271 last season.

He was drafted in 1994, 1996, and 1997, but did not sign, before he was selected by Philadelphia in 1998. He stayed with the Phillies through 2005 and then went to the Cleveland Indians before being traded to Pittsburgh on May 9. He has a career batting average of .224.