CLEVELAND (AP) — Right-hander Justin Masterson and the Cleveland Indians avoided arbitration with a one-year contract agreement.
Masterson, the Indians’ most consistent starter last year, will make $3.85 million in 2012. He made $468,400 last season.
Masterson had a breakout season in 2011, going 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA. He also led the Indians with 158 strikeouts and 33 starts. The hard-throwing 26-year-old, who was acquired in 2009 from Boston, was just 6-13 in 2010. However, he opened 5-0 last season and developed into their ace before the club traded for Ubaldo Jimenez.
The Indians once considered moving Masterson into the bullpen, but that no longer seems likely.
