Baseball: Diamondbacks reach deal with pitc..

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Right-hander Brandon McCarthy reached an agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a $15.5 million, two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Friday.

McCarthy, who was Oakland's opening-day starter last season, must pass a physical to complete the deal. He was hit in the right side of the head by a line drive off the bat of the Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar on Sept. 5. The 29-year-old pitcher suffered an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture, and underwent a two-hour surgery.

• Baseball's average salary increased 3.8 percent this year to a record $3.2 million. According to final figures released Friday by the Major League Baseball Players Association, the rise was the steepest since 2007.

The Associated Press

Baseball: Diamondbacks reach deal with pitcher Brandon McCarthy