PHOENIX (AP) - Catcher Dioner Navarro went to a salary arbitration hearing with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, arguing he should get $2.5 million this year rather than the team's $2.1 million offer.
Navarro was eligible for arbitration for the first time after hitting a team-high .295 last year with seven homers and 54 RBIs. He made $432,500.Tampa Bay reached the World Series for the first time, losing in five games to Philadelphia. Navarro batted .353 (6-for-17) with no RBIs in the five-game loss to the Phillies.
Arbitrators Elizabeth Neumeier, James Oldham and Steven Wolf heard the case and were likely to make a decision Tuesday.
Navarro became the second player to go to a hearing this year. Nationals pitcher Shawn Hill was awarded $775,000 on Saturday rather than the team's proposal of $500,000.
Fifteen players remain scheduled for hearings, which run through Jan. 20.
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