Angels Will Not Offer Downing Arbitration : Baseball: Decision could mean end of designated hitter’s career with the club.

In a move that probably signals the end of Brian Downing’s Angel career, the club announced Thursday that it won’t go to arbitration with the 40-year-old designated hitter.

Downing, whose strong second-half performance carried him to a .273 batting average, 14 home runs and 51 runs batted in during his club-record 13th season, can file for free agency. He can also re-sign with the Angels.

Downing, who has been undergoing treatment for the side-muscle injury that has hindered him the past two seasons, could not be reached for comment Thursday, and his wife, Cheryl, said she did not know her husband’s plans. Downing had said during the season that he was considering retirement, but his sentiments changed when his playing time increased and his batting average rose.

General Manager Mike Port said the announcement does not preclude a return for Downing, who is the Angels’ leader in games played, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, extra-base hits and total bases. Port and Dan O’Brien, the Angels’ senior vice president for baseball operations, met with Downing Thursday in a session Port characterized as “cordial” without disclosing the outcome of their discussion.

“What this will mean as far as the relationship between Brian and the Angels is unknown at this point,” Port said. “I have to say that only time will tell. It’s difficult to say at this point whether he would fit into our plans for next season. We, like a number of clubs, are going through our roster situation, what with free agency, free-look free agency (which could be granted a number of players affected by baseball’s third collusion case) and trades. It’s difficult to address until the rosters are closer to being set . . .

“We just felt this was a situation that called for a face-to-face meeting. What he may choose to do is something I would not prefer to comment on.”

In a formality, the Angels also announced that they won’t go to arbitration with pitcher Greg Minton, who announced his retirement after the final home stand of the season.

Donnie Hill filed for free agency Thursday, but it’s expected that the Angels will re-sign him. Hill signed with the Angels as a free agent in January. He served as a backup infielder, hitting .264.