LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Dodgers paid $50,000 Tuesday to buy out the contract option they held on catcher Gary Bennett for next year.

Bennett played in only 10 games for the Dodgers last season, getting four hits including a home run in 21 at-bats and driving in four runs. He didn't play after going on the disabled list May 20 because of problems with his left foot.

Had the Dodgers kept the 36-year-old Bennett, they would have paid him $900,000 plus performance bonuses. He earned $825,000 last season.

Bennett signed with the Dodgers Dec. 17, a few days after admitting he used human growth hormone. He was one of 85 players implicated in the Mitchell Report.

Bennett has also played for Philadelphia, the Mets, Colorado, San Diego, Milwaukee, Washington and St. Louis