NEW YORK — Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis and Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ervin Santana received the steepest raises among the 111 players in salary arbitration, a group that overall earned a record increase of 172 percent, according a study by The Associated Press.

The rise broke the previous mark of 169 percent set in 1999 and was up sharply from last year's 120 percent hike, partly because the arbitration group started out with a lower average. The 111 players in this year's filing class rose to an average of $3.07 million from $1.13 million.

Last year, the 110 players in arbitration jumped to $3.04 million from $1.38 million. The record average of $3.26 million was set in 2004.

Markakis received a 24-fold increase, from $455,000 last year to an average of just more than $11 million under a $66.1 million, six-year deal with Baltimore.

Santana got a 16-fold rise, from $445,000 last season to a $7.5 million average under a $30 million, four-year contract.

Fourteen players received multiyear contracts, two fewer than last year but matching 2007's figure.

Among the players who filed, just 46 swapped proposed figures with their teams Jan. 20 and just three cases went to hearings this month.

Players prevailed 2-1 in the hearings for their first winning record since going 7-3 in 1996. The number of hearings matched the record low, set when owners won 2-1 in 2005.

Florida second baseman Dan Uggla ($5.35 million) and Washington right-hander Shawn Hill ($775,000) won, while Tampa Bay catcher Dioner Navarro ($2.1 million) lost. Owners hold a 280-207 margin in cases that have gone to hearings since arbitration began in 1974.

CARDINALS

CARPENTER'S BUILDING UP

Chris Carpenter was on the mound yesterday morning in Jupiter, Fla., and that was enough for St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.

La Russa watched as the former Cy Young Award winner threw 30 pitches from behind a screen in a 10-minute session, his first time facing batters since September.

"The fact that he's actually on the field is exciting," La Russa said. "We've only seen this how many times? You can count it on less than two hands how many times in the last two years we've actually seen him facing a hitter. So this is a big day, and a fun day."

INDIANS

DELLUCCI ON THE MEND

Cleveland Indians outfielder David Dellucci will miss at least the first three Cactus League games after cutting his left thumb while packing for spring training in Goodyear, Ariz.

Dellucci, who throws left-handed, slammed a trailer tailgate on his thumb at his home in Baton Rouge, La., on Feb. 1. He needed three stitches to close the gash and a hand specialist performed minor surgery.

Dellucci did not reveal the injury to reporters until yesterday. He said he'll be one week behind but was able to throw Friday and hit off a tee without pain.

The 35-year-old outfielder is in the final season of a three-year, $11.5 million contract.

PIRATES

MANAGER RUSSELL STAYS

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up manager John Russell's contract option for 2010 despite going 67-95 in his first season.

General manager Neal Huntington called the decision easy, although the club has been in spring training only a week.

"J.R. met or exceeded expectations in his first year as the Pirates manager," Huntington said yesterday. "His club worked hard to play the game properly and battled from the first out until the last."

The 48-year-old Russell, a former major league catcher, replaced Jim Tracy on Nov. 5, 2007. Tracy was let go after the Pirates lost 189 games in 2006 and 2007. Russell's contract was for two seasons, with the option for 2010.

RANGERS

SIGN FORMER NO. 1 PICK

Right-hander Kris Benson, the first pick in the 1996 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, signed a minor league contract yesterday with the Texas Rangers.

Benson reported to camp at Surprise, Ariz., as a non-roster invitee. The Rangers, who are looking to add depth to their rotation, worked out Benson earlier in the week.

Benson, 34, last pitched in the majors in 2006, going 11-12 with a 4.82 ERA for Baltimore. He has a career record of 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA with the Pirates, Orioles and Mets.

TWINS

SIGN CREDE TO PLAY THIRD

Third baseman Joe Crede has agreed to a one-year deal with Minnesota, filling a major need on the left side of the Twins infield provided he can stay healthy.

Crede has had two major back surgeries in the last two seasons. He hit .248 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs last season for the Chicago White Sox. But he barely played in the second half because of recurring back trouble, which limited him to 47 games in 2007.

If Crede stays healthy, he fills two major needs for the Twins — an everyday third baseman and a right-handed power hitter.

YANKEES

SABATHIA OUT WITH FLU

New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia missed his scheduled batting practice session yesterday because of the flu.

Sabathia was sent home from Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., after it was determined he was too ill for the workout. Manager Joe Girardi didn't rule out that the expected opening-day starter could take the hill today.

"He said he wanted to throw his BP and he ended up throwing up again," Girardi said. "He just said, 'I'll wait until tomorrow.' "

Sabathia, considered the top free agent during the offseason, signed a $161 million, seven-year deal with the Yankees. He is scheduled to make his first spring training start on March 6.