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Olivo, Chen to test open market

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By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com

11/06/09 8:39 PM EST

KANSAS CITY -- Catcher Miguel Olivo and pitcher Bruce Chen of the Royals filed for free agency as six-year Major Leaguers on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the Royals announced they were not picking up the option on Olivo's $3.3-million contract for 2010. Olivo and the club held a mutual option.

Olivo was the starting catcher last season and batted .249 with 23 home runs and 65 RBIs.

Chen divided time between starting and relieving, with a 1-6 record and 5.78 ERA in 17 games.

Pitcher Jamey Wright filed on Thursday, leaving center fielder Coco Crisp as the only six-year eligible player remaining from the Royals. He's expected to file because the team did not exercise its option on his $8-million contract for 2010.

Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.