Royals agree to 1-yr deal with Brayan Pena

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Catcher Brayan Pena and the Kansas City Royals avoided arbitration Monday by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Pena hit .248 with three homers and 24 RBIs in 72 games last season. He's expected to back up Salvador Perez, who hit .331 with three homers and 27 RBIs after getting called up late last season.

The Royals have six remaining players eligible for arbitration: pitchers Luke Hochever, Felipe Paulino and Jonathan Sanchez, infielder Chris Getz and outfielders Alex Gordon and Mitch Maier.

Teams and players eligible for arbitration exchange salary figures on Tuesday.