Phils, Rowand avoid arbitration

Philadelphia outfielder Aaron Rowand avoided arbitration with the Phillies on Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year, $4.35 million contract with the club that includes award and performance bonuses.

Rowand, who Philadelphia acquired before last season in a trade that saw Jim Thome sent to the White Sox, hit .262 with 12 home runs and 47 RBI in his first season in the National League.
Two on-field collisions, one with the center field wall in Citizens Bank Park and another with second baseman Chase Utley, limited the 29-year-old to 109 games with the Phillies.

The contract comes after Rowand declined his $3.25 million player option and the Phillies declined their $5 million club option on November 1.

Philadelphia still has three arbitration-eligible players remaining: Utley and pitchers Brett Myers and Geoff Geary.

In other Phillies news, the team claimed infielder Greg Dobbs off waivers from Seattle. Dobbs split time with the Mariners and Triple-A Tacoma last season, hitting .370 (10-27) with three RBI in 37 games in the majors last year.