CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola has avoided a salary arbitration hearing set for this week by accepting a four-year, $45 million contract. The 25-year-old right-hander set career bests last year when he was a first-time All-Star, going 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA. His new deal includes a $16 million team option for 2023 with a $4.25 million buyout.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Major leaguers are 6-3 in arbitration this year following today's victories by Cleveland pitcher Trevor Bauer, Houston hurler Gerrit Cole and Cincinnati left-hander Alex Wood. Bauer was awarded $13 million, Cole was given and $13.5 million package and Wood came away with a $9.65 million deal. Players are now ensured a winning arbitration record in consecutive years for the first time since 1989-90.
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Left-hander Brett Anderson is back with the Oakland Athletics after accepting a one-year, $1.5 million package with the club. Anderson went 4-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 17 starts and 80 1/3 innings for the A's last season. The Athletics placed left-hander Sean Manaea (mah-NY'-ah) on the 60-day injured list to clear roster room for Anderson.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo has signed a four-year contract extension instead of testing the free agent market. Lambo owns the franchise record for consecutive made field goals, converting 24 straight between Nov. 19, 2017 and Nov. 11, 2018. He made 19 of 21 field goals last year and became the first in Jaguars history to post consecutive seasons with a field goal rate of at least 90 percent.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Center Enes Kanter has joined the Portland Trail Blazers after he and Wesley Matthews were waived by the New York Knicks following the trade deadline last week. Kenter averaged 14 points and 10.8 rebounds in 115 games for the Knicks over two seasons. He had become frustrated after first losing his starting spot and then all playing time in recent weeks.
