Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports that Tim Wakefield has decided to retire.

He'll officially announce his retirement at a press conference later Friday. Wakefield, 45, played 19 major league seasons and retires with an even 200 wins to go along with a 4.41 ERA and 1.35 WHIP for the Pirates and Red Sox. He wanted to return to the Sox for a 20th season, but they weren't willing to offer him a deal and the knuckleballer has decided to hang up his cleats rather than accept a minor league deal elsewhere.

Tim Wakefield's agent, Barry Meister, told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald on Thursday that the knuckleballer will make a decision within the next few days whether he'll continue his playing career in 2012.

"We're discussing the options - and he has some options - and over the next few days, we're going to try to figure it out," said Meister. "These next few days is just a period of introspection, where he's trying to decide what to do, whether to play, who to play for." Wakefield has made it clear that he would like to pitch one more season in Boston, but it doesn't appear as though the interest is mutual. Meister said Wednesday that his client hasn't ruled anything out, including possibly accepting a minor league deal with a spring training invite. The 45-year-old compiled a 5.12 ERA and 93/47 K/BB ratio over 154 2/3 innings last year.

Tim Wakefield told John Torres of FloridaToday.com that retirement is "something that my wife and I need to talk about."

"I just saw that (Jorge) Posada retired, you know it's something that my wife and I need to talk about," Wakefield said. "I'd probably need to talk about it with my kids, too. Ultimately, I would like to obviously play for the Boston Red Sox for one more year and see where it goes." It seems like the 45-year-old will only continue playing if the Red Sox give him the opportunity, and at this point it doesn't appear that the team is super anxious to bring him back. Wakefield posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 93/47 K/BB ratio in 154 2/3 innings last season.

Tim Wakefield recently told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that he has a "strong desire to pitch one more year for the Red Sox."

Wakefield wouldn't rule out a move to the National League, but made it clear that he wants to finish his career with Boston. Considering he's the oldest player in baseball and has a 5.22 ERA over the past two seasons, the interest isn't likely to be mutual. General manager Ben Cherington has been noncommittal when discussing the situation, saying only that the team ''owed it to him to explain exactly what role he could fill next season.''

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that Tim Wakefield intends to continue his playing career in 2012.

The 45-year-old knuckleballer reached the 200-win plateau in 2011 but had a horrendous season, posting a 5.12 ERA over 33 games -- 23 starts. He might have to settle for a non-guaranteed, minor league deal and hope to catch on as a swingman.

Tim Wakefield was horrid again Sunday, giving up five runs -- three earned -- on five hits and five walks over just four innings in a loss to the Yankees.

He struck out four and served up a longball to Jorge Posada. Wakefield may have reached the 200-win plateau this season, but he's had an atrocious year, posting a 5.12 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 154 2/3 innings. He failed to deliver a quality start in his last nine outings. The knuckleballer will be a free agent this offseason, and it might be time for the 45-year-old to hang it up.

The Red Sox will start Tim Wakefield in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Yankees and John Lackey in the second game.

It's what we figured. Lackey was already slotted into one of Sunday's games, and with Friday's rainout, Wakefield is simply pushed back a day. They'll be opposed by A.J. Burnett and Ivan Nova, though it's not clear which Yankees hurler will start which game.

Tim Wakefield's knuckleball failed to knuckle again Sunday, as the Rays touched him up for six runs - four earned - on six hits and a walk over five innings.

He likely would have been removed from the game sooner if the Red Sox hadn't needed innings with a doubleheader coming up Monday. Wakefield has now gone eight outings without posting a quality start, watching his ERA go up to 5.20. He's certainly pitched his way into a long relief role for the postseason despite the Red Sox' injury issues in the rotation. The 45-year-old will get the Yankees next weekend.

The Red Sox will skip Tim Wakefield in the starting rotation this week.

Andrew Miller, Erik Bedard and John Lackey will start this weekend against the Rangers. Wakefield's quest for 200 wins will have to wait until next week against the Blue Jays.

Tim Wakefield made it 0-for-6 on attempts to pick up his 200th career victory on Friday, allowing eight runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings of a 15-5 Red Sox loss to the A's.

Wakefield got knocked around this evening, allowing two home runs and three doubles. The owner of a 4.97 ERA in 38 innings across six starts since notching career win No. 199 on July 24, Wakefield will get the Yankees at home his next time out.

Tim Wakefield will make his next start Friday against the Athletics.

Wakefield was originally scheduled to start Thursday's series finale against the Rangers, but he was pushed back a day in favor of Andrew Miller. The veteran knuckleballer has failed in each of his last five attempts to get career victory No. 200.

Tim Wakefield was denied his 200th win once again Sunday, taking a loss against the Mariners despite tossing an eight-inning complete game.

Wakefield has been stuck on 199 wins since July 24, a span of four starts. Today, he allowed five runs -- four earned -- while striking out four and walking two. Wakefield has allowed at least three earned runs in 10 straight starts. He'll have another great shot at No. 200 in Kansas City next week.

Making his first start as a 45 year old, Tim Wakefield held the Indians to three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings on Wednesday, taking a no-decision in Boston's 4-3 win at home.

He struck out six while walking two. The quality start was Wakefield's second straight after allowing seven runs in back-to-back outings on July 18 and July 24. He'll get the Twins in Minnesota next Monday.

Tim Wakefield allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings of work on Sunday, but still managed to improve to 6-3 in Boston's 12-8 win over the Mariners.

He struck out four, giving him an even 2,000 as a member of the Red Sox. The only other player to tally 2,000 strikeouts in a Red Sox uniform is would-be Hall-of-Famer Roger Clemens.

Tim Wakefield got roughed up in Boston's 15-10 win over the Orioles on Monday, allowing seven runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks in just 4 2/3 innings.

He struck out three and allowed two home runs, requiring 93 pitches to get his 14 outs. Through 86 1/3 innings of work this season, Wakefield has posted a 4.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 43/27 K/BB ratio, making him a pretty uninspiring option in AL-only leagues.

Tim Wakefield scattered three runs and nine hits across seven innings of work on Wednesday evening, improving to 5-3 in Boston's 6-4 win over the Blue Jays.

The ageless knuckleballer struck out seven while walking only one. Through 11 starts and 81 2/3 total innings, Wakefield is now the owner of a 4.74 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.

Tim Wakefield's knuckleball was hittable on Friday, as the 44-year-old righty allowed five runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of Boston's 7-5 win in Houston.

He took a no-decision, striking out none while walking none. Coming into this evening, Wakefield had gone at least six innings in six of his previous seven starts. He'll get the Blue Jays at home next Wednesday.

Tim Wakefield yielded five earned runs over six innings Saturday in a loss to Pittsburgh.

Not good. Wakefield surrendered two home runs and seven total hits to the Bucs while also walking four. The knuckleballer still boasts a cool 1.20 WHIP, but he is simply not a reliable fantasy option.

Tim Wakefield pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball Sunday against the Cubs for his first victory of the season.

Wakefield had the knuckler working tonight, as he walked none and threw 55 of his 76 pitches for strikes. The victory was the 194th of his career. He should get to spend at least a full month in the rotation with John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka out, so he has a real chance of getting to 200 this year.

Tim Wakefield will make another spot start Friday against the Twins.

Wakefield held the Mariners to three hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings last time he took the mound for a start and could do well against the slumping Twinkies. He makes a fine desperation option for AL-only leaguers. Daisuke Matsuzka has been bumped to Sunday and Clay Buchholz will go Saturday.