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.
Outfielder Shin Soo-Choo's troubled 2011 season with the Indians still earned him a raise.
Choo and the club agreed to a 1-year, $4.9 million contract Tuesday to avoid salary arbitration. The 29-year-old South Korean made $3.975 million last season, when he batted .259 with eight homers and 36 RBIs in 85 games. He also had two lengthy stints on the disabled list.
In 2010, Choo was the only AL player to hit .300 with at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases.
Choo also was arrested last season on driving under the influence charges and he missed six weeks after surgery to repair a broken thumb. He ended the season on the DL with a strained side muscle.
