Braves agree to terms with left fielder Diaz

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves avoided salary arbitration with Matt Diaz by agreeing to terms with the left fielder Friday on a one-year contract.

Diaz will earn $1,225,000 with $12,500 bonuses for 450 and 500 plate appearances.

Diaz, 29, hit .338 with 12 homers and 45 RBIs in 135 games last season.

Diaz hit .352 after April 30, the third-best mark in the majors. Since the start of the 2006 season, he has hit .333, tied for the second-best mark in the majors.

Diaz also tied for fourth in the majors with 14 hits as a pinch-hitter last season.

Closer Rafael Soriano is the Braves' only remaining arbitration-eligible player.

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