Pitchers Valdes, Perez Sign New Deals With Dodgers

The Dodgers avoided salary arbitration with three players Friday by agreeing on new contracts for starting pitchers Ismael Valdes and Carlos Perez and outfielder Todd Hollandsworth.

Valdes, a 25-year-old right-hander, agreed to a one-year deal that will pay $4.275 million after a season in which he was 11-10 with a 3.98 earned-run average.

Perez, a 28-year-old left-hander acquired in a trade with the Montreal Expos last season, signed a three-year, $15.5-million contract after a 1998 season that included an 11-14 record and 3.59 ERA.

Hollandsworth, 25 and the 1996 National League rookie of the year, agreed to a one-year deal, worth $850,000, after an injury-shortened 1998 season.

In a statement, General Manager Kevin Malone called Perez a “quality left-handed starter” and said he was hopeful that Hollandsworth “will contribute in the same way he did during his rookie season.”

He also said: “We expect Ismael Valdes to have an exceptional season for us in 1999.”

Notes

Right-hander Darren Dreifort and shortstop Mark Grudzielanek are the only Dodgers left in arbitration. . . . The Dodgers announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Ricardo Jordan and infielder Scott Livingstone to minor league contracts. Both will attend spring training as nonroster invitees. Also invited to spring training were three other minor leaguers: right-hander Dan Hubbs, outfielder Bubba Crosby and infielder Damian Rolls. . . . The Angels signed infielder Luis Rivera to a minor league contract. Rivera, 35, batted .247 in 42 games with the Kansas City Royals last season.