Boston Red Sox win arbitration hearing against P Fernando Abad

Jan. 31 (UPI) — Left-handed relief pitcher Fernando Abad lost his arbitration hearing against the Boston Red Sox.

Abad requested $2.7 million, but the panel said he will make the Red Sox’s submitted salary of $2 million next season, according to multiple reports. He posted a 2.65 ERA in 34 innings before being traded in August from the Minnesota Twins. Abad, 31, posted a 6.39 ERA in 18 showings for Boston in 2016.

Robert Herzog, Phillip LaPorte, and Dennis Archer presided over the arbitration hearing. Abad made $1.25 million in 2016. He was the first Red Sox player to go to arbitration since Rolando Arrojo in 2002. Abad can become a free agent following the 2017 campaign.

Abad played the first three years of his career for the Houston Astros. He joined the Washington Nationals in 2013, before spending two seasons with the Oakland Athletics. Abad owns a 3.71 career ERA.