ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On Thursday, Mickey Moniak and the Los Angeles Angels engaged in a salary arbitration session, with the outfielder requesting an increase to $2 million and the organization countering with an offer of $1.5 million.

A verdict from the arbitration panel, consisting of Melinda Gordon, Samantha Tower, and John Woods, is anticipated on Friday.

Last season, Moniak recorded a batting average of .219, hitting 14 home runs and achieving a career-high of 49 RBIs. This arbitration hearing marks his first time being eligible for such proceedings after earning $770,000 previously.

In addition to Moniak, nine other players have arbitration hearings scheduled through February 14. Among them, Angels’ first baseman/second baseman Luis Rengifo has put forward a salary request of $5.95 million while the Angels have offered him $5.8 million.

In a separate development, right-handed pitcher Jovan Oviedo faced the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in the first arbitration ruling of the year, resulting in a decision that granted him $850,000 instead of his sought-after $1.15 million.

Looking ahead, a decision is still pending for Pittsburgh pitcher Dennis Santana, who has requested $2.1 million against the team’s offer of $1.4 million.