Major League Baseball

Josh Tomlin, Indians agree to $5.5 million, 2-year contract

Published Jan. 26, 2016 3:21 p.m. ET

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CLEVELAND (AP) Josh Tomlin has shown toughness and tenacity during his time with the Indians. On Tuesday, he was rewarded for it.

Tomlin and Cleveland agreed to a $5.5 million, two-year contract, a deal that can earn the right-hander $11.75 million over three seasons.

The 31-year-old agreed Jan. 15 to a $2.25 million, one-year deal that avoided salary arbitration. The new agreement adds a $2.5 million salary for 2017 and gives the Indians a $3 million club option for 2018 with a $750,000 buyout.

Tomlin can make another $2 million annually in performance bonuses based innings and starts in 2017 and, if the option is exercised, in 2018.

One of the AL's best pitchers last September, Tomlin returned from shoulder surgery last year to go 7-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts.

Tomlin had shoulder surgery last March and began the season on the disabled list. He was activated in July, made one minor league start at Triple-A Columbus and then joined the Indians, solidifying the backend of one of baseball's strongest rotations. He went 3-1 in five starts in September, pitching two complete games.

After Aug. 15, Tomlin ranked first in the league in opponent's on-base percentage, strikeout-to-walk ration, was second in average against and third in innings.

The Indians have terrific pitching depth and Tomlin will compete in spring training for a rotation spot along with Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer and Cody Anderson, who went 7-3 as a rookie last season.

Tomlin is 36-30 with a 4.65 ERA since making his first start for Cleveland in 2010. The Indians drafted Tomlin in the 19th round of the 2006 draft.

He had Tommy John surgery in 2013 after two injury-slowed seasons.

Tomlin's performance bonuses call for $250,000 each for 20 and 25 starts, and 160 and 180 innings, and $500,000 apiece for 30 starts and 200 innings.

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