Kendrick agrees to $7.7 million deal

It remains to be seen exactly where Kyle Kendrick slots in the Phillies' rotation this season, but the team now knows what his work will cost.

The two sides avoided salary arbitration Thursday when the veteran righthander agreed to a one-year deal worth $7.675 million plus award bonuses. The deal represents a $3.175 million raise for the 29-year-old righthander with a career 64-55 record and a 4.38 ERA.

For the first time since 2010, Kendrick opened last season as part of the starting rotation and got off to a terrific start, posting a 7-4 record and a 3.46 ERA through his first 16 starts. From that point, however, he was 3-9 with a 6.45 ERA in 14 outings, allowing 106 hits in 751/3 innings. His season ended after a Sept. 13 start in Washington because of shoulder tendinitis.

Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee will be the top two starters in the Phillies' rotation, with Kendrick the likely leading candidate to be the third starter unless the team is overwhelmed by Cuban Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. Free-agent addition Roberto Hernandez also will be in the starting rotation.

The Phillies have three arbitration-eligible players remaining: John Mayberry Jr., Ben Revere and Antonio Bastardo. If they do not reach an agreement Friday, the team and player will exchange salary-arbitration numbers and hearing dates will be set. Players can sign at any point before those arbitration hearings.