ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Rengifo went to salary arbitration with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, requesting a raise from $730,000 to $2.3 million while the team argued for $2 million.
The infielder’s case was heard by Jeanne Vonhof, Howard Edelman and Fredric Horowitz, and a decision is expected this week.
Rengifo set career bests last season with a .264 batting average, 17 homers and 52 RBIs. He walked 17 times in 511 plate appearances, at 3.3% the lowest percentage among qualified hitters.
Four other players have pending decisions: Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe ($11.9 million vs. $11.25 million), Tampa Bay relievers Ryan Thompson ($1.2 million vs. $1 million) and Colin Poche ($1.3 million vs. $1,175,000), and Rays outfielder Harold Ramirez ($2.2 million vs. $1.9 million).
Players and teams have split six decisions.
All-Star pitcher Max Fried ($13.5 million) lost to Atlanta, outfielder Kyle Tucker was beaten by Houston and reliever Diego Castillo ($2.95 million) was defeated by Seattle.
Left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo ($2.45 million) and AL batting champion Luis Arraez ($6.1 million) both beat Miami, and reliever Jason Adam ($1,775,000 defeated Tampa Bay.
Nine players remain scheduled for hearings, which run through Friday.
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