ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Houston Astros beat Wandy Rodriguez in salary arbitration on Thursday, meaning the pitcher will be paid $5 million this year instead of the $7 million he sought.
Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Elizabeth Neumeier and Fredric Horowitz made their decision a day after hearing the case.
Rodriguez, a 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, also ninth, and made $2.65 million. His 192 hits allowed also were a career high and 21 homers allowed were one shy of his worst. (MORE)