MLB notebook: Red Sox's Betts wins arbitration case

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts won his arbitration case on Wednesday and will earn $10.5 million this season.

Betts' requested salary is just short of the record deal for a first-year arbitration-eligible player that the Chicago Cubs gave third baseman Kris Bryant ($10.85 million) this month, but the two sides settled to avoid an arbitration hearing.

Betts' award represents the largest ever won by a first-year arbitration-eligible player in a hearing, topping the $10 million won by Ryan Howard in 2008.

Betts, 25, defeated the Red Sox in an arbitration hearing held Tuesday in Phoenix. A panel of three judges ruled in favor of Betts instead of Boston's counter offer of $7.5 million.

--Oscar Gamble, who played for seven teams but who was best known for his seven seasons as a New York Yankees outfielder and designated hitter, died Wednesday at the age of 68, his agent confirmed.

Gamble reached the majors in 1969 with the Chicago Cubs and appeared in 1,584 big league games through 1985, batting .265 with 200 home runs and 666 RBIs.

The left-handed hitter remembered by many for his trademark Afro hairstyle barely contained by a batting helmet, hit a career-best 31 home runs for the Chicago White Sox in 1977.

--Cleveland Indians utility man Michael Martinez will be sidelined at least six months after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

Martinez, 35, suffered the injury last week while training in the Dominican Republic.

Cleveland signed Martinez to a minor league contract in December for his fifth stint with the organization. Martinez batted .162 in 27 big league games last year, splitting the season with the Indians and Tampa Bay Rays.

--Field Level Media