What It Means:

Considering Luebke hasn't thrown a pitch in the majors since 2012, this was an expected move. He underwent forearm surgery in August, in addition to recovering from multiple Tommy John surgeries. Luebke will receive a $1.75 million buyout and become a free agent.

Luebke has pitched just 188 1/3 innings in the majors for his career, but he has some solid numbers. His xFIP is 3.21, and his strikeouts per nine innings is 9.32, both of which would have been top-15 totals among qualified starters this season. He should be offered at least some invitations to Spring Training in 2016.