The Royals and Felipe Paulino have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal, the team announced Thursday.

The 29-year-old right-handed pitcher made just seven starts in 2012, going 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings before a groin injury sent him to the disabled list.

Paulino later had Tommy John surgery, which is expected to sideline him for the first few months of 2013.

He has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining before becoming a free agent after the 2014 season.

The deal now leaves the Royals with decisions remaining on just two players in advance of Friday's deadline to tender contracts: pitcher Luke Hochevar and infielder Chris Getz.

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