Cleveland Indians sign RHP Blake Wood to 1-year deal, avoid arbitration with deadline looming

CLEVELAND – The Indians avoided arbitration by signing pitcher Blake Wood to a one-year contract for next season.

The club claimed the right-hander off waivers from Kansas City on Nov. 2. The 27-year-old had Tommy John surgery in May and missed last season.

Wood, drafted by the Royals in 2006, spent two seasons in the Kansas City bullpen and appeared in 106 games. He had a 5.07 ERA in 51 appearances as a rookie and a 3.75 ERA in 2011.

The Indians have until midnight Friday to offer contracts to eight players eligible for arbitration. Those players are: closer Chris Perez, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, right-hander Justin Masterson, relievers Tony Sipp and Joe Smith, third baseman Jack Hannahan, catcher Lou Marson and infielder Mike Aviles.

Cleveland has not gone to arbitration since 1991.