Orioles ink Matthews

BALTIMORE, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Orioles have avoided arbitration by signing centerfielder Gary Matthews, Jr., to a one-year contract.

The Baltimore Sun reported Matthews will get $900,000, and got a raise of $237,500.

"I am so focused on the season that this was something I wasn't really worried about," Matthews told MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball. "I am just so excited about the season and with what I did last season, it's good feeling to be rewarded but I definitely want to perform well next season."

Matthews had a breakout campaign after being acquired on April 3 from the New York Mets.

Before being sidelined by tendinitis in his right wrist, he batted .276 with seven homers in 109 games. He established career highs in average, doubles (25), and slugging percentage (.427).

Matthews, who has not played since Aug. 22, will be an Opening Day starter in 2003 for the first time in his career, and says he is antsy.

"I just got that feeling this week that I can't wait to get started," he told the Web site. "Usually I don't get that feeling until February, but it's been a long time since I have been on the field. I am ready and worked hard in the offseason to get better."

He said he has been working six days a week on conditioning with University of Maryland basketball team Conditioning Coach Curtis Schultz to stay healthy.

The Orioles also are trying to avoid arbitration hearings with four other key -- pitcher Sydney Ponson, second baseman Jerry Hairston, outfielder Melvin Mora, and reliever B.J. Ryan.