Center fielder Roberto Kelly, one of the few bright spots in a dismal New York Yankees' season, tripled his salary Thursday when he agreed to a one-year contract worth $900,000.
Four other players agreed to one-year contracts on Thursday, leaving 152 remaining in salary arbitration. Players and clubs will exchange figures Friday afternoon, and hearings will be scheduled for the first three weeks of February.Right-hander Mark Eichhorn and California settled at $625,000, a $352,500 raise, and right-hander John Dopson and Boston settled at $265,000, the same salary he earned last season.
The last two San Francisco Giants in arbitration also agreed to one-year deals. Pitcher Kelly Downs got $525,000, a raise of $100,000 over his 1990 base salary, and outfielder Mike Kingery got $362,500, a raise of $187,500.
Also, free agent right-hander Jeff Robinson agreed to a one-year contract with the California Angels with a club option for 1992. Robinson pitched for the Yankees last season and was 3-6 with a 3.45 ERA in 50 relief appearances and four starts.
There are 36 free agents remaining who have not yet agreed to contracts for the 1991 season.