CLEVELAND (92.3 The Fan) - The Indians signed reliever Rafael Perez to a 1-year contract Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration, the club announced.

Perez will earn $2.005 million this season after asking for $2.4 million. The Indians originally countered with $1.6 million before settling.

During the 2011 season, Perez appeared in 71 games and went 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA.

In six seasons with the Indians, the 29-year-old is 20-12 with a 3.64 ERA.

Cleveland has now avoided arbitration with six players including Perez (Chris Perez, Shin Soo Choo, Jack Hannahan, Joe Smith and Justin Masterson).

After costing nearly $9.4 million in 2011, the six will earn approximately $18 million combined in 2012.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera remains the lone arbitration-eligible player that is unsigned.

The Indians haven’t gone to arbitration with a player since 1991.