Ryan, 41, Wants to Stay With Houston, but He Files for Free Agency

Pitcher Nolan Ryan, 41, declared free agency Tuesday but said he has no intention of leaving the Houston Astros.

“Hopefully, this is just a formality, but you have a declaring period and I felt it was to my benefit to go ahead and declare free agency and see what the market has to offer,” Ryan told a Houston radio station. “Once I see what the market is out there, then I can make a decision on what I’ll do next year.”

Ryan, who lives in nearby Alvin, Tex., and owns extensive ranching property there, finished last season with a 12-11 record and a 3.54 earned-run average. He led the National League with 228 strikeouts.

Ryan sat out the final days of the season with a hamstring injury.