NEW YORK — Pitcher Wandy Rodriguez lost to the Astros in salary arbitration Thursday, and Angels catcher Jeff Mathis and Nationals reliever Sean Burnett had their hearings.
Rodriguez will be paid $5 million this season instead of the $7 million he sought. The 31-year-old left-hander was 14-12 last season with a 3.02 ERA, ninth in the NL among qualifiers. He struck out a career-high 193, which tied the Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa for ninth, and made $2.65 million.
Owners lead players 3-2 with two cases pending and shortstop Ryan Theriot set to argue against the Cubs.
Mathis asked for a raise from $450,000 to $1.3 million, and Los Angeles argued that he should be paid $700,000. A decision is expected today.
Burnett asked for $925,000, while the Nationals countered with $775,000.
Infielder Erick Aybar and the Angels agreed to a $2.05 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration.
Santana feeling strong
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Asked to pick the best pitcher in the NL East, Mets ace Johan Santana had a quick answer.
“Santana,” he said.
Santana reported to spring training expressing confidence in both his team and his surgically repaired left elbow.
“We are confident about the things we can do,” Santana said. “We are healthy and we are definitely happy to be back on the field and do the things we know. . . . I am able to throw my fastball with no problems and throw my breaking balls and my changeup without feeling that sharp pain in the back of my elbow now.”
Footnotes.
The Mariners set Wednesday as the target date for pitcher Cliff Lee’s first bullpen session of spring training. Lee is coming off of foot surgery, and his workouts have been limited.
• Former Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, who saved a major league-record 84 consecutive games from 2002-04, agreed to a minor-league contract with Los Angeles.
• Pirates reliever Joel Hanrahan will miss the start of the regular season because of an injured right elbow.
• Former all-star pitcher Mike MacDougal signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins. The Associated Press
