Major League Baseball

Toronto 2B Kelly Johnson accepts arbitration offer

Published Dec. 8, 2011 12:32 a.m. ET

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Toronto second baseman Kelly Johnson will remain with the team after accepting an offer of salary arbitration.

Johnson had until 11 p.m. CST to take the offer. He made $5.85 million last season.

The Blue Jays got him from Arizona in late August for Aaron Hill and John McDonald. The 29-year-old Johnson hit a combined .222 with 21 home runs and 58 RBIs.

Barring an agreement, Johnson and the Blue Jays would swap proposed salaries on Jan. 17 for a one-year, nonguaranteed contract and the case would go to a hearing the following month. The overwhelming majority of players and teams reach agreement before cases are heard by three-arbitrator panels.