Average salary in MLB takes another dip

The average salary in the major leagues has dropped in consecutive years for the first time since the players’ association started keeping records more than a halfcentury ago.

The 988 players on Aug. 31 rosters and injured lists averaged $4,051,490, the union said Friday, down 1.1% from $4,095,686 last year. The average peaked at $4,097,122 in 2017.

This was just the fifth decline since records started in 1967, when the average was $19,000. There also were drops in 1987, when clubs were found guilty of collusion; in 1995, after the end of a 7 1/2-month strike; and in 2004.

This year’s drop followed two slow free-agent markets and new contracts with large signing bonuses for Mike Trout, Alex Bregman, Manny Machado and A.J. Pollock.

Those four players received $62 million in signing bonuses during 2019 that are prorated over the length of each contract in the calculation of the average. If the entire amounts had been counted for 2019. the average would have been about $54,000 higher — more than the $44,196 drop.

Those stars all receive huge increases for 2020, and Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon agreed to $200 millionplus contracts last week.

There also were 20 additional players on injured lists this Aug. 31, causing more players to be brought up from the minor leagues who made at or close to the $555,000 minimum.

Major League Baseball computed its average at $3,894,220, down 2.8% from $4,007,987 last year and $3,955,920 in 2017.

Figures are based on the last day before active rosters expanded from 25 to 40 for the final time. Starting in 2020, there will be a 26-player limit from opening day through Aug. 31 and then 28 for the rest of the season. ANGELS’ OHTANI FINISHES TOMMY JOHN SURGERY REHAB >> Two-way player Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has finished his throwing program, the final hurdle as he attempts to return to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right (throwing) elbow, according to published reports.

The Angels have given Ohtani the OK to return to Japan to continue his recovery and prepare for the 2020 season, according to the report.

Ohtani, 25, has not pitched in the big leagues since suffering an elbow injury during the 2018 season. The former Japanese star made 10 starts on the mound in 2018 but was reduced to a designated hitter role last season while his elbow was on the mend. TWINS BOLSTER BULLPEN, SIGNING

CLIPPARD, BRINGING BACK ROMO >> Minnesota bolstered its bullpen by finalizing contracts for two right-handed relievers, adding Tyler Clippard on a $2.75 million, one-year deal and bringing back Sergio Romo with a contract that guaranteed $5 million and includes a 2021 club option.

Romo, who played for the Giants from 2008-16, was acquired in a trade with Miami in July. He posted a 3.18 ERA with four walks and 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings for Minnesota.

The 34-year-old Clippard had a 2.90 ERA in 62 innings for division rival Cleveland last season, with 15 walks and 64 strikeouts. WHITE SOX BOOST ROTATION,

AGREE TO DEAL WITH GONZALEZ >> The White Sox boosted their starting rotation, finalizing a $5 million, one-year contract with two-time All-Star Gio González that includes a 2021 club option.

The 34-year-old left-hander finally will get a chance to pitch for the team that took him with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2004 amateur draft.

González debuted with the A’s in 2008 and is 130-99 with a 3.68 ERA over 12 years with Oakland (2008-11), Washington (2012-18) and Milwaukee (2018-19). He was an All-Star in 2011 and 2012, when he won a career-high 21 games and had a 2.89 ERA.

KINSLER RETIRES >> Veteran infielder Ian Kinsler will retire after 14 major league seasons, with one year remaining on his contract, and make a move into the San Diego Padres front office, The Athletic reported.

Kinsler batted .269 with 257 home runs and 909 RBIs. He finishes with 1,999 career hits.