Four players sign one-year contracts with Brewers, avoiding arbitration

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The Milwaukee Brewers avoided arbitration with four players Friday afternoon, as they agreed to one-year deals with utility man Hernan Perez, second baseman Jonathan Villar and right-handed pitchers Corey Knebel and Jimmy Nelson.



No players remain eligible for arbitration.

Perez played every position besides catcher for at least one inning last season (yes, including pitcher) while appearing in 136 games. He smashed a career-best 14 homers and finished 2017 with a .259/.289/.414 slash line.

Villar had a bit of a disappointing year, as he started just 84 games at second base and stole 23 bases, well shy of his 62 in 2016 that led the big leagues.

Knebel, the lone Brewers All-Star last season, is coming off a career year with a 1.78 ERA, 39 saves and a 14.9 K/9.

Nelson is expected to miss time this summer after undergoing surgery in September to repair his shoulder. He tallied 12 wins, a 3.49 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 175 1/3 innings pitched last season.