Kyle Kendrick, Phillies agree on one-year deal

Kyle Kendrick signed a one-year deal with the Phillies Friday, avoiding salary arbitration.

According to Scott Proefrock, the Phillies assistant general manager, the righthander's deal will pay him $3.585 million in 2012.

Bouncing between the bullpen and the rotation in 2011, Kendrick went 8-6 with a career-best 3.22 ERA in 34 games.

Pressed into duty as a starter after injuries to Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt, Kendrick made 15 starts. The Phillies went 7-8 in those games. Overall, he threw 1142/3 innings.

The 27-year-old was particularly effective against National League East opponents, compiling a 5-2 record and 2.14 ERA.

"He's got a lot of moxie," manager Charlie Manuel said earlier about Kendrick, "and he's got a lot of determination."

The native Texan  has a 43-30 record in five seasons. Kendrick, who earned $2.45 million 2011, likely will begin 2012 in the bullpen if Blanton is healthy. 

With his signing, there are three unsigned arbitration-eligible Phillies - Cole Hamels, Hunter Pence, and Wilson Valdez.

Contact staff writer Frank Fitzpatrick at 215-854-5068, ffitzpatrick@phillynews.com, or @philafitz on Twitter.

This article contains information from the Associated Press.