Collin McHugh became the second pitcher on the World Series champion Houston Astros to go to salary arbitration, and Chicago White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia also went to a hearing.
McHugh asked for a raise from $3.85 million to $5 million during Tuesday's hearing before arbitrators Mark Burstein, Jeanne Wood and Allen Ponak. Houston argued for a $4.55 million salary.
Garcia requested a hike from $3 million to $6.7 million rather than Chicago's $5.85 million offer. His case was heard by Phillip LaPorte, Steven Wolf and John Kagel, who are likely to issue a decision Wednesday.
Players lead 7-6 with decisions to be announced Thursday for McHugh and pitchers Marcus Stroman, Jake Odorizzi and Trevor Bauer. Four more hearings are scheduled, and 22 decisions would be the most since players won 14 of 24 cases in 1990.
Baltimore and pitcher Kevin Gausman agreed Tuesday to a $5.6 million, one-year deal, avoiding a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
McHugh heads to spring training projected as a sixth starter behind a rotation with Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Gerrit Cole, Lance McCullers Jr. and Charlie Morton. McHugh, 30, was 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 12 starts last season.
Etc.
• Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell says he no longer will kneel for the national anthem as he did last season as a rookie, when he became the first major leaguer to do so following the lead of many NFL players.
• The Padres have placed reliever Jose Torres on the restricted list and say he won't report for spring training with the team in Arizona because of a pending court case stemming from his arrest in Phoenix in December. Torres pleaded not guilty after being accused of brandishing a handgun and pointing it at a domestic violence victim, knocking a door off its hinges and punching a hole in another door.
