Beimel avoids arbitration, agrees to terms

The Dodgers avoided arbitration with lefthanded reliever Joe Beimel, agreeing Friday to a $1,925,000, one-year contract. The last Dodgers' player remaining in arbitration, Beimel can earn an additional $40,000 each by appearing in 50, 60, 70 and 85 games this season. He had asked for $2.15 million and was offered $1.7 million after making $912,500 last season.

Beimel appeared in a club record (for left-handed pitchers) and career-high 83 games last season and went 4-2 with a 3.88 ERA and one save to set a franchise record

The soon-to-be 31-year-old joined the Dodgers in 2006, going 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA and two saves in 62 games. Over the past two years in Los Angeles he has a record of 6-3 with a 3.41 ERA over 145 games.

He worked particularly effectively against the Dodgers N.L. West opponents. He had a 1.59 ERA against San Diego, 2.53 vs. Colorado,2.70 ERA against Arizona and had an 3.86 ERA against the Giants.

Ellis, Gutierrez Invited to S.T.-- A pair of minor league catchers, A.J. Ellis and Gabe Gutierrez, were invited to spring training with the big club, running the total to a robust 22 extra players.

A dozen pitchers have received invitations included Rick Asadoorian, Bryan Falkenborg, Fernando Desgue, Greg Jones, Mike Koplove, Tom Martin, Mike Myers, Chan Ho Park, Brian Shackelford, Matt Riley, Alfredo Simon and Tanyon Sturtze.

Along with Ellis and Gutierrez, catchers Danny Ardoin and Rene Rivers were asked to attend along with infielder Angel Chavez, John Lindsey, Ramon Martinez and Terry Tiffee plus outfielders John-Ford Griffin and George Lombard.