CLEVELAND, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Karim Garcia, who posted huge offensive numbers in limited action for the Cleveland Indians last season, avoided arbitration Friday by signing a one-year contract.
Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed.
The 27-year-old outfielder was released by the Indians in spring training but latched on with the New York Yankees as a minor league free agent. Garcia was recalled to New York on June 28, but appeared in just two games for the Yankees.
He rejoined the Indians organization on July 13 and earned a promotion to the major league team on Aug. 6. He provided immediate dividends, hitting .299 with 16 homers and 52 RBI in 51 games for Cleveland. No player in the major league had more RBI over the same span.
An eight-year veteran who has spent time with Los Angeles, Arizona, Detroit and Cleveland, Garcia is a career .238 hitter.
