SEATTLE — Pitcher Erik Bedard and the Seattle Mariners agreed Tuesday to a $7.75 million, one-year contract that gave him a raise of $750,000 and avoided salary arbitration.

Bedard's agreement came one day after star right-hander Felix Hernandez got a $3.8 million, one-year deal to avoid arbitration. The team also hoped to reach an agreement with its final player in arbitration, reliever Aaron Heilman.

Bedard, eligible for free agency after the 2009 season, is recovering from surgery on his pitching shoulder in September. He went 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 15 starts in his abbreviated first season with the Mariners.

Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik says the left-hander remains a very important part of the team. He expects Bedard to be healthy for the season.

Bedard can make $600,000 in performance bonuses: $75,000 for 150 innings, $100,000 for 165 innings, $150,000 for 180 innings, $125,000 for 195 innings and $150,000 for 205 innings.