NEW YORK (AP) – Right-hander Chris Reitsma lost to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday in the first salary arbitration hearing of the year.

Eligible for arbitration for the first time, the reliever will get a raise from $350,000 to $950,000 instead of the $1.45 million he asked for. He was 9-5 with a 4.29 ERA and 12 saves in three starts and 54 relief appearances last season.

Arbitrators I.B. Helburn, Matthew Finkin and Christine Knowlton heard the case in Phoenix and issued their decision just a few hours later, an unusually speedy deliberation. Knowlton, who was hearing her first baseball salary case, became the sport’s third woman arbitrator.

Seventeen players remain in arbitration.

Among free agents, San Diego agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with reliever Antonio Osuna, and Boston finalized a $750,000, one-year agreement with designated hitter Ellis Burks. The New York Mets completed a minor league deal with right-hander Scott Erickson, and Pittsburgh agreed to a minor league contract with left-hander Mark Guthrie. Each would get a $700,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster.

Osuna, a 30-year-old right-hander, went 2-5 with a 3.73 ERA in 48 games with the New York Yankees last season.

Now 39, Burks said his release from Boston 12 years ago crushed him but spurred him to adopt a better work ethic. He was selected by the Red Sox in the 1983 draft and arrived in the big leagues in 1987.

“It was a lot of pressure on a young kid, to hear comparisons to Willie Mays,” Burks said. “I put too much pressure on myself instead of relaxing and playing like I can play.”

He hit .301 with 32 homers and 91 RBIs in 2002 but was limited to 198 at-bats last year with Cleveland because of a nerve condition in his right elbow that required surgery. Burks batted .263 with six homers and 28 RBIs.

Erickson’s deal capped an exciting week. He celebrated his 36th birthday Monday and married “Monday Night Football” sideline reporter Lisa Guerrero in Hawaii the following day.

“I wish spring training started tomorrow,” Erickson said. “I’m ready to go. I know there’s an opportunity for me here, and I’m hoping to make the most of my chance.”

The 38-year-old Guthrie was 2-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 65 games with the Chicago Cubs last season. The Pirates have been seeking a left-hander to complement Joe Beimel in their bullpen.

Also Thursday, the New York Yankees placed third baseman Drew Henson on waivers for the purpose of his unconditional release and said Aaron Boone will have exploratory arthroscopic surgery Tuesday.

Boone was hurt Jan. 16 during a pickup basketball game and might have torn his anterior cruciate ligament. Anaheim team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum will operate.

Henson, who struggled in three full seasons as a minor league third baseman, intends to pursue a career as an NFL quarterback. He agreed to give up the $12 million remaining on his $17 million, six-year contract with the Yankees.

AP-ES-02-05-04 1941EST