Cubs Catcher Rick Wilkins agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.475 million avoiding a June 12 arbitration hearing.
Wilkins is in his third season as the team’s full-time catcher. Going into Friday’s game against Florida, he was batting .207 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 92 at-bats. He had a .263 career batting average entering 1995.
Wilkins made $350,000 last year. He had sought $1.7 million in arbitration, while the Cubs offered $1.2 million.
Young to return: Right-hander Anthony Young, who was expected to miss this season after elbow surgery last Aug. 15, is expected to be back with the Cubs as early as Saturday.
“He’s ready. We don’t know where we’re going to put him now, but he’s ready,” said manager Jim Riggleman.
Young, a starter last year, will be used out of the bullpen. That means a reliever will have to be moved to make room for him.
More Top Picks Best Thermal Imaging Cameras
Getting crowded: Two other injured pitchers, Jose Guzman and Chris Nabholz, threw two-inning simulated games Friday and are about ready for rehab assignments. Guzman, out since arthroscopic shoulder surgery last June 1, is eligible to be activated June 23. Nabholz has been on the disabled list since May 14 with a lower back strain.
More wings: Right-hander Jim Bullinger threw off the mound before Friday night’s game and said the tender elbow that disabled him is better. He is eligible to be activated Monday, but Riggleman said it won’t happen that soon.
Jose gone: Outfielder Felix Jose was released Friday, just 10 days after signing him to a minor league contract. Jose batted .135 with one RBI in 10 games for Triple-A Iowa. Jose was signed May 22.