ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have defeated pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration, improving clubs to 2-0 in decisions this year.
Niemann will earn $2.75 million instead of his request for $3.2 million, a three-man panel decided Friday. Arbitrators James Oldham, Howard Edelman and Mark Irvings heard arguments a day earlier.
Tampa Bay improved to 6-0 in arbitration.
Niemann was 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 23 starts last season, when he didn’t pitch between May 4 and June 20 because of a strained back. He made $903,000.
In the first decision of the year, Washington pitcher John Lannan lost Thursday and will make $5 million rather than his request for $5.7 million.
Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez asked a panel for $8 million Friday, with the team arguing for $6.9 million.
