Mariners, Shawn Kelley avoid arbitration

While the Seattle Mariners are searching for upgrades to their rotation, they did settle one affair with their pitching staff. The team has avoided salary arbitration with right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley by agreeing to a one-year, $935,000 contract that could be worth up to $1.1 million with incentives, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

Kelley had initially filed for a $1.2 million salary for 2013, while the Mariners countered with $750,000.

Kelley, a Super Two, was eligible for arbitration for the second time. The 28-year-old appeared in 47 games, finishing 10 contests for Seattle. In 44⅓ innings, the northpaw allowed 8.7 hits per nine innings and struck out 9.1 batters per nine innings. He did have an uptick in walks, issuing 3.0 BB/9, and posted a 3.50 FIP.

Kelley missed most of the 2010 season and almost the entire 2011 campaign while recovering from elbow surgery. The righty, a Tommy John surgery patient in 2003, had to have his Tommy John surgery graft resecured to the bone.

He has not yet completely recovered the 94 mph velocity that he showed prior to the procedure; in 2012, his average fastball velocity clocked in at 92.95 mph.