HOUSTON -- With a Friday deadline looming to exchange desired salary figures between teams and their arbitration-eligible players, the Astros on Thursday settled with outfielder Jake Marisnick on a $1.9 million salary for 2018, according to a source.
The Astros have not confirmed the signing.
Marisnick, who made $800,000 last year, had a breakout season offensively for the Astros, hitting. 243 with 16 homers and 35 RBIs before a broken thumb and subsequent surgery sidelined him in mid-September and cost him a spot on Houston's postseason roster.
He's expected to be the Astros' fourth outfielder again in 2018, getting most of his at-bats against left-handers.
The Astros' remaining seven arbitration-eligible players are left-hander Dallas Keuchel, catcher/designated hitter Evan Gattis, right-handers Collin McHugh, Brad Peacock, Ken Giles and Lance McCullers, and outfielder George Springer, who was the World Series Most Valuable Player. Keuchel, McCullers and Springer were All-Stars last year.
Once the two sides exchange their figures Friday, they can continue negotiating until hearings are scheduled for February, when a three-person panel will choose one side for the player's 2018 salary. McHugh beat the Astros in an arbitration hearing last year.