Michael Young elects to retire rather than rejoin Dodgers

The Dodgers won’t be able to start Michael Young at second base on opening day if they decide Alexander Guerrero isn’t ready to play in the major leagues by then.

Young, 37, will retire from baseball, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke under the condition of anonymity.

The seven-time All-Star said over the weekend that he was deciding between playing for the Dodgers and retiring to spend more time with his three sons.

“I want to be around my sons,” Young said. “I want to make sure they get what they need from their father.”

Young batted .300 with 185 home runs and 1,030 runs batted in over 14 seasons, of which 13 were spent with the Texas Rangers.

Young played his final 21 games with the Dodgers, who acquired him in a waiver deal last year with the Philadelphia Phillies. Young batted .314 with four runs batted in for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers wanted Young back in part because of the uncertainty over Guerrero, a Cuban defector with no previous major league experience.