Penny Signs for One Year at $5.1 Million

The Dodgers signed starter Brad Penny to a one-year, $5.1-million incentive-laden contract Monday, a deal that could prove a magnificent bargain or a complete bust, depending on his health.

In reaching an agreement, Penny and the team avoided arbitration, meaning the Dodgers steered clear of the potentially contentious process with every player eligible. Penny, 26, suffered a nerve injury to his right biceps in his second appearance after he was obtained from the Florida Marlins at the trading deadline last season with the expectation that he could be a frontline starter. The Dodgers say his off-season workouts have gone well and that it appears Penny will begin spring training in good health.

The contract incentives are based on innings pitched and other numbers that would reflect on his ability to stay healthy, a source said.

“We believe Brad can be one of the top young pitchers in the National League,” General Manager Paul DePodesta said. “Dodger fans have only begun to see his ability.”

Potential was apparent in Penny’s first Dodger start Aug. 3, when he shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates on two hits for eight innings in a victory. The injury occurred in the first inning of his next start, on Aug. 8, and he made only one more start, on Sept. 22, when he experienced the same biceps nerve pain after three innings.

Penny, a right-hander, finished the season 9-10 with a 3.15 earned-run average and is 49-44 with a 4.03 ERA in his six-year career. His 48 victories with the Marlins are a team record and he was 2-0 in the 2003 World Series.

DePodesta said Penny will take it slowly during spring training -- and into the summer, if necessary.

“With the pitching we have, he doesn’t have to rush back,” he said. “He doesn’t need to feel like he has to go out there and pitch nine innings his first time out.”

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The Dodgers are expected to sign veteran right-handed pitcher Scott Erickson to a minor league contract and invite him to spring training.

Erickson, 36, has won 141 games in 13 seasons but pitched only 27 innings last year while trying to come back from arm problems. He did not pitch in 2003 after having shoulder surgery and did not pitch in 2001 after having elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Erickson would join five other non-roster pitchers with major league experience: Buddy Carlyle, Aquilino Lopez, Ryan Rupe, Mike Venafro and Kelly Wunsch.

Other non-roster invitees include catcher Mike Rose, infielders Mike Edwards, Jose Flores, Oscar Robles and Tony Schrager, and outfielders Henry Stanley, Jon Weber and Tydus Meadows.

Also invited to major league camp will be top prospect James Loney, a first baseman who is expected to play in triple A this season, and two players who were removed recently from the 40-man roster -- second baseman Joe Thurston and outfielder Chin-Feng Chen.