Major League Baseball
Reliever J.J. Hoover and Reds argue salary arbitration case
Major League Baseball

Reliever J.J. Hoover and Reds argue salary arbitration case

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:13 p.m. ET

PHOENIX (AP) J.J. Hoover and the Cincinnati Reds argued their salary arbitration case Thursday, with the reliever asking for a raise from $535,000 to $1.4 million and the team arguing for $1,225,000.

A decision by arbitrators James Oldham, Dan Brent and Sylvia Skratek is expected Friday.

A 28-year-old right-hander, Hoover was 8-2 with a 2.94 ERA, winning his first seven decisions. As a setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman, he gave up 44 hits and 31 walks in 64 1-3 innings while striking out 52. He allowed three of 12 inherited runners to score and had a streak of 30 games in which he did not give up an earned run.

Hoover is a candidate to take over as closer this season following Chapman's trade to the New York Yankees.

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Tampa Bay pitcher Drew Smyly won the first decision of the year Thursday and will have a $3.75 million salary rather than $3.2 million.

Thirteen players remained scheduled for hearings, which run through Feb. 19.

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