Wang and Yankees avoid arbitration

NEW YORK (UPI) -- The New York Yankees and pitcher Chien-Ming Wang avoided arbitration Monday by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract.

Wang, born in Taiwan, had back-to-back 19-win seasons before 2008 when he was 8-2 with a 4.07 earned-run average in 15 starts. He was placed on the disabled list in June with a ligament sprain and partial tendon tear in his right foot and did not return to action rest of the season.

Wang, 28, last season's Opening Day starter, has a 54-20 record with a 3.79 ERA in four seasons with the Yankees. His 46 wins since 2006 are tied for the third-most in the American League during that stretch.