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Dempster To Take The Season Off

FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS/AP) — Pitcher Ryan Dempster has decided not to play this season for physical reasons and to spend more time with his family.

Dempster made the announcement Sunday. He will be placed on the restricted list and not be paid his salary of $13.25 million.

Dempster told reporters he made the decision weeks ago.

"I'm both physically and mentally not ready to do my job," he said.

Dempster, 36, was 8-9 with a 4.57 earned run average for the Red Sox last season but was taken out of the rotation for the playoffs.

Dempster finished last season 8-9 with a 4.57 ERA and didn't get a start during the Red Sox's postseason run to a World Series title.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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