Cubs avoid arbitration with Sean Marshall

The Cubs and left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall have agreed to terms on a 2010 contract, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Marshall, 27, went 3-7 with a 4.32 ERA in 55 appearances (nine starts) with the Cubs last season. He limited opponents to a .274 batting average, including a .243 mark by lefties and a .289 mark by righties. Marshall went 1-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 46 relief outings and 2-5 with a 5.24 ERA in nine starts.

In all or part of four major league seasons with the Cubs (2006-09), Marshall is 19-29 with a 4.55 ERA in 134 major league appearances, including 59 starts.