Yovani Gallardo rejects qualifying offer from Rangers

Veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo declined the Texas Rangers' one-year, $15.8-million qualifying offer ahead of Friday's deadline, according to multiple reports, ensuring the club will receive draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere as a free agent.

If Gallardo opts not to work out a new deal with Texas, the 29-year-old will force the team that signs him to forfeit its top unprotected pick in the 2016 draft.

Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers last offseason, Gallardo fashioned a 3.42 ERA (124 ERA+) with a 1.42 WHIP over 33 starts in 2015, allowing just 15 homers while managing a 49.3 percent ground-ball rate in 184 1/3 innings.