The Philadelphia Phillies have informed Nate Schierholtz he will not be tendered a contract for 2013, instead choosing to non-tender the outfielder, according to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia, making him a free agent.

Schierholtz was arbitration eligible for the second time this offseason, but now he will be a free agent and able to negotiate a contract with any team in the majors.

The Phillies could still bring back the outfielder and by non-tendering him a contract doesn't mean they won't have interest. It simply means the team felt Schierholtz would not be worth the raise from the $1.3 million base salary he earned last season.

At 28 years of age,Schierholtz batted .257/.321/.407 in just 269 combined plate appearances with the Giants and Phillies in 2012.

If this is the end for Schierholtz and the Phillies, the outfielder played in just 37 games for the team after being a key piece in the trade that sent Hunter Pence to the San Francisco Giants at last year's trade deadline. Philadelphia also acquired Seth Rosin and Tommy Joseph in that deal, but both are presently in the minor leagues.