Angels agree to terms with reliever Kevin Jepsen

The Angels avoided arbitration with reliever Kevin Jepsen on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with the hard-throwing right-hander on a $1.181-million deal for 2013 that includes an awards package.

Jepsen, who rebounded from 2011 knee surgery to go 3-2 with a 3.02 earned-run average in 49 appearances last season, had asked for $1.4 million, and the team countered with $975,000, a fairly sizeable gap for a non-closing reliever in the first year of arbitration.

But the sides settled right around the midway point, assuring that the Angels will avoid going to a hearing with any of their arbitration-eligible players.

Pitchers Jason Vargas ($8.5 million), Tommy Hanson ($3.725 million) and Jerome Williams ($2 million) all reached agreement with the team this month, and third baseman Alberto Callaspo has agreed to a two-year, $8.975-million deal pending a physical.

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