Dodgers and Young Reach an Agreement on Contract

The Dodgers, who will have to wait for a decision on pitcher Orel Hershiser’s arbitration case, have avoided another arbitration hearing scheduled for next week by reaching an agreement with left-handed relief pitcher Matt Young.

Young, whom the Dodgers acquired from the Seattle Mariners during the winter meetings, was seeking $390,000 through arbitration. The Dodgers had submitted a $325,000 proposal. The sides had been close to reaching a compromise for several days, and Bob Walker, the Dodgers’ attorney, said an agreement was reached Friday.

However, the Dodgers said Young has not yet signed the one-year contract. Young’s arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday in Chicago.

Meanwhile, arbitrator Ray Goetz is expected to make his ruling on Hershiser’s case either today or Monday, at the latest. Goetz met with Dodger executives and Hershiser and Robert Fraley, his agent, for five hours on Thursday and originally was expected to make a ruling on Friday. Hershiser, 14-14 last season, is asking for a $100,000 raise to $1.1 million, while the Dodgers are seeking a pay cut to $800,000.