PHOENIX -- Free-agent pitcher Ervin Santana will reject the Braves' $15.3 million qualifying offer, sources said. The deadline to accept is Monday afternoon.

Santana was always expected to reject the offer following a nice season in which he went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA, though there was a bit of noise just before the offer was extended that he could possibly accept.

Santana was one of the main free agents impacted last offseason by the qualifying offer, which was $14.1 million and extended by the Royals. Santana wound up signing in spring with Atlanta after the Braves suffered two injuries to pitchers in their starting rotation.

Kansas City is at least one team interested in bringing in Santana, who has been a consistent and durable pitcher throughout his career. The market generally should be more to his liking this year after another nice season.