BOSTON (AP) -Catcher Jason Varitek has exercised his $3 million option to stay with the Boston Red Sox.

Boston declined to exercise its $5 million club option on Monday, and Varitek then had two days to decide whether to exercise his player option at the lower price.

The 37-year-old was Boston's starting catcher for nine of 10 seasons through 2008, except in 2001 when he was limited to 51 games because of injury. He was the regular last season until Boston obtained Victor Martinez from Cleveland on July 31.

Boston exercised a $7.7 million club option for Martinez on Monday.

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