While it might not mark the end of his time with the Texas Rangers, right-handed starter Colby Lewis failed to reach an agreement with the club for a new contract and will test the free-agent market.

Lewis battled back from elbow and hip surgeries last season to tie for the team lead with 10 wins. He finished with a 5.18 ERA in 29 starts.

"We've had dialogue there," GM Jon Daniels said in a conference call Friday. "Not able to reach an agreement. It doesn't mean we will (or won't) at some point down the line, but he's going to test the market, and I think you know I have a ton of respect for Colby as a player and as a person. The door is open and if it works for both of us at a later point. But he's going to test the market right now."

Lewis expressed to Daniels during the last road trip of the season that he wanted to return, but the two sides just couldn't finalize a new deal. Lewis signed a one-year, $2 million minor league deal last season.

Based on what Lewis did, there might be an expectation he wanted a two-or-three year contract. But given his age (35) and the assortment of injuries he's recovered from, another one-year deal might have been offered.

The Rangers are still confident in ace Yu Darvish and No. 2 man Derek Holland to lead the rotation. But Daniels has said his No. 1 priority is pitching this offseason and keeping Lewis as a back-of-the-rotation type starter seemed a given considering the mutual respect on both sides.

As it stands now, Lewis isn't part of the plan, though it could change.