Diamondbacks avoid arbitration with IF Pennington

Cliff-Pennington;-Arizona-Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington has avoided arbitration with the team, signing a one-year contract. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

PHOENIX — Infielder Cliff Pennington and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year contract worth $3,275,000 and avoided salary arbitration.

Pennington played 68 games with the Diamondbacks last season, hitting .254 with two homers and 10 RBIs. He missed two months of the season with a sprained thumb.

The 30-year-old was primarily a shortstop with Oakland, but filled a utility role in three seasons with Arizona, also playing second and third base.

He has hit 248 with 27 homers and 190 RBIs in seven big league seasons. Pennington made $2.75 million last season, completing a $5 million, two-year deal.

Three Diamondbacks remain among approximately 180 players eligible for arbitration: pitchers Jeremy Hellickson and Addison Reed, and first baseman-outfielder Mark Trumbo.

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