Phillies avoid arbitration with Bastardo

Phils reliever Antonio Bastardo

Left-hander reliever Antonio Bastardo has agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Phillies, avoiding salary arbitration.

In 65 games for Philadelphia last season, Bastardo posted a 2-5 record with one save, a 4.33 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 52.0 innings.  He ranked third among all major league relievers in strikeouts per nine innings (14.02), trailing only Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel (16.66) and Cincinnati’s Aroldis Chapman (15.32).  The 27-year-old also held opposing batters to a .207 average (40-193), including a .169 average (14-83) against left-handed hitters.

Originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in February of 2005,  Bastardo is 12-9 with nine saves and a 4.02 ERA in 160 career games.

Bastardo was the last remaining arbitration-eligible player for the Phillies this offseason.