Orioles, Tommy Hunter avoid arbitration

The Baltimore Orioles and Tommy Hunter avoided arbitration Monday when the two sides agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.82 million, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. It was Hunter's first time through the arbitration process.

Hunter, 26, was 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA in 133 ⅔ innings in 2012, making 20 starts. He excelled in a relief role as he went 3-0 with a 0.71 ERA in his last 10 appearances. The right-hander is 33-24 with a 4.77 ERA in his five seasons spent with the Rangers and Orioles. His best year came in 2010 when he was 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA. He was acquired by the Orioles with Chris Davis at the trade deadline in 2011 in exchange for Koji Uehara.

The Orioles still have seven arbitration eligible players in Matt Wieters, Chris Davis, Troy Patton, Brian Matusz, Jason Hammel, Jim Johnson and Darren O'day.

Connolly also noted that the Orioles and Matusz are also nearing a deal.