Cabrera, Marlins head to arbitration

Miguel Cabrera and the Florida Marlins went to an arbitration hearing Friday, with the All-Star third baseman asking for $7.4 million and the team offering $6.7 million.

Cabrera finished second in the National League last year with a .339 batting average, and he had 26 homers and 114 RBIs. He made $472,000 last season and is eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Arbitrators Howard Block, Stephen Goldberg and Elliott Shriftman heard the case and were expected to issue a decision today.

Red Sox sign Pena

Outfielder Wily Mo Pena and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,875,000 shortly before the scheduled start of their arbitration hearing in Phoenix.

Pena can earn an additional $100,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 325, 350, 375 and 475 plate appearances.

Swindal faces charges

George Steinbrenner’s son-in-law and designated successor to run the New York Yankees was scheduled to appear in court March 15 at St. Petersburg, Fla., to face charges of driving under the influence.

Yankees general partner Steve Swindal was arrested by St. Petersburg police at 4:26 a.m. Thursday, according to the charge report.

Clearing the bases

Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall has been hospitalized in Florida for tests for a recurrence of lymphoma, his son said. … Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jose Acevedo broke four ribs and his collarbone in a motorcycle accident in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and is expected to miss the entire season, his Dominican winter league team said. … Keith Foulke, the pitcher whose toss to first base for the final out ended an 86-year World Series title drought for the Boston Red Sox, retired just as he was about to begin a two-man competition with Joe Borowski to be Cleveland’s closer. … The Pittsburgh Pirates kept Brad Lincoln, their top pitching prospect, from participating in the first workout of spring training at Bradenton, Fla., because of elbow irritation.