Source: Angels ink Joyce to clean arbitration slate

ANAHEIM -- The Angels avoided arbitration with outfielder Matt Joyce on Monday, settling on a $4.75 million contract for the 2015 season, a source told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the deal.

With Joyce settled, the Angels finished with all their arbitration-eligible players, avoiding a hearing for the fourth consecutive year.

Previously, the Angels agreed with David Freese ($6.425 million), Garrett Richards ($3.2 million), Hector Santiago ($2.29 million), Fernando Salas ($1.37 million), Cesar Ramos ($1.312 million), Vinnie Pestano ($1.15 million), Collin Cowgill ($995,000) and Drew Butera ($987,500).

Joyce, heading into his final year before free agency, originally filed for $5.2 million, and the Angels countered with $4.2 million.

Acquired from the Rays for reliever Kevin Jepsen on Dec. 16, Joyce has posted a .252/.341/.428 slash line while averaging 136 games over the last four seasons. On the Angels, the 30-year-old left-handed hitter mostly will be used as a designated hitter and will occasionally play the outfield corners.

With Josh Hamilton undergoing surgery to repair his right AC joint last week, a procedure that typically takes six to eight weeks of recovery time, Joyce is expected to see extended time in left field to start the season.

The Angels haven't gone to an arbitration hearing since beating Jered Weaver in 2011.