Brewers to Pay Teddy Higuera $1.525 Million

Left-hander Teddy Higuera will receive the highest base salary in the history of the Milwaukee Brewers after agreeing to a one-year $1.525-million contract just 12 days after undergoing back surgery.

“We have a good doctor’s report and everything points to a full recovery, give or take two weeks after opening day,” Brewers General Manager Harry Dalton said Tuesday. “That was a minor consideration.”

“We’re obviously pleased to have him settled,” Dalton said.

“Negotiations can be difficult at times when you’re dealing in big numbers. But Teddy had a good year for us, and we think he’s one of the premier pitchers in baseball.”

Incentive Bonuses

Higuera, who had a herniated disc removed Jan. 20, could also earn more through incentive bonuses. By agreeing to a contract, he sidesteps an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for Feb. 13.

The 30-year-old Higuera passed the Brewers’ Paul Molitor, who is making $1.4 million in base pay.