Dodgers sign Elbert, Baxter, Butera to deals
Pacts for 2014 come ahead of Monday's deadline to tender contracts
LOS ANGELES -- With the deadline to tender contracts on Monday night, the Dodgers on Friday signed left-handed reliever Scott Elbert, backup outfielder Mike Baxter and third-string catcher Drew Butera.
Elbert missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing three operations on his left elbow. He had scar tissue removed Sept. 19 last year, debridement of cartilage in a different area of the elbow Jan. 23, and Tommy John reconstruction June 7 that will keep him out through the first half of 2014. He earned $505,000 last season and has a $575,000 Major League salary for 2014.
Baxter was claimed off waivers from the Mets on Oct. 17. The 28-year-old is a left-handed hitter who played in 74 games with the Mets in 2013, hitting .189. He is a corner outfielder and was a fourth-round pick of the Padres in 2005, then was claimed off waivers by the Mets in 2011. His Major League salary will be $700,000.
Butera was acquired by the Dodgers for insurance on July 31 from Minnesota for Minor League pitcher Miguel Sulbaran, but spent August at Triple-A, hitting .135, and played in only four games with the Dodgers during a September callup. He earned $700,000 last season and has a $700,000 Major League salary for 2014.
Remaining Dodgers eligible for arbitration who will be tendered contracts are Clayton Kershaw, A.J. Ellis, Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario.