Longtime Boston Red Sox captain Jason Varitek will announce his retirement on Thursday, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.

The news comes as no surprise — Varitek turns 40 in April, and he’s coming off of one of the least productive seasons of his 15-year career. The catcher hit just .221 with 11 home runs last season, playing in only 68 games. The team offered Varitek a minor league contract and an invitation to big-league camp, but the catcher declined.

Varitek is expected to stay with the organization in some capacity, Abraham reports.

The Red Sox are well stocked with backup plans at the catcher position — Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Kelly Shoppach and Ryan Lavarnway are all expected to see time behind the plate in Boston this season.

Jason Varitek was absent today as pitchers and catchers reported to Boston Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., and a source tells Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston that Varitek “will decide soon” about his future.

The Red Sox have offered Varitek a minor league contract and an invitation to big-league camp, but Varitek, who turns 40 in April, may opt to retire rather than accept a reduced role in Boston. The Red Sox already have three catchers in Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Kelly Shoppach and Ryan Lavarnway, and they’re unlikely to need a fourth.

“I haven’t heard that we should get his uniform ready,” manager Bobby Valentine said of Varitek.

Varitek played in only 68 games for the Red Sox last season, batting .221 with 11 home runs. The Sox’ longtime captain has not been offered a big-league job by any other club; he may be left with no choice but to retire.

Longtime Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield announced his retirement Thursday, and veteran catcher Jason Varitek may be next, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

Varitek has spent the offseason trying to decide between retiring and trying to work out a deal with the Red Sox.

The 39-year-old catcher has spent his entire career in Boston, and he hit .221/.300/.423 last season in 68 games.

The Boston Red Sox have not yet decided what to do with both Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek, who are both free agents. General manager Ben Cherington spoke with both players, but there has yet to be a commitment from either end.

“I have spoken to both,’’ Cherington told ESPN. “And we’re not ready to commit to anything. I have spoken to both, and plan to talk to them both again. I certainly will do so before we make any final decision.”

Wakefield, 45, has been with the team since ’95 while Varitek, who will be 40 in April, has been around since ’97.

Cherington said that if there is no role for them on the team, it would probably be best for both parties to break ties.