San Diego Padres first baseman Wil Myers landed the biggest raise of all the hefty salary increases in arbitration.

The 168 players eligible for arbitration as of mid-December averaged a 113 percent raise, according to a study by the Associated Press on Thursday.

Myers received a 26-fold increase from $523,900 to an average of $13.8 million as part of an $83 million, six-year contract.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez was next with an 18-fold hike from $539,000 to an average of $10.2 million in a $51 million, five-year deal, followed by Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte with an 11-fold raise from $523,000 to an average of $6.1 million in his five-year deal worth $30,525,000.

All three were eligible for the first time.

Last year, players who filed for arbitration averaged a 96 percent increase.

Under baseball’s new labor contract, players no longer have to go through the formality of filing. The AP calculated its figures based on those eligible shortly after the Dec. 2 deadline for teams to offer 2017 contracts to unsigned players.

The average salary of eligible players this winter rose from $1.79 million to $3.82 million.

Nine players received multiyear contracts, the fewest since nine among the players who filed for arbitration in 2004.

Teams won eight of 15 decisions, the most hearings since clubs went 10-6 in 2004. An increasing number of teams refused to negotiate after the exchange of proposed arbitration salaries Jan. 13.

Players with at least three but less than six years of major league service are eligible for arbitration along with the top 22 percent by service time among players with a minimum of two years but under three. Players with six years of service can become free agents when their contracts expire.

Hamilton back in Rangers camp:Josh Hamilton was back in spring training camp in Arizona on Thursday after an examination in Texas showed no significant structural damage to his surgically repaired left knee.

Hamilton said he was concerned Tuesday when he felt a sudden pain when doing some running drills. He was in the outfield grass simulating running the bases in arcs, not in a straight line or at full speed, when he experienced the knee pain.

Hamilton, the 2010 American League Most Valuable Player who is in camp on a minor league contract after not playing in the majors last season, said he will ride an exercise bike and get treatment for a few days before resuming baseball activity. He hopes to start hitting again by Monday.

Honor for Buehrle: The Chicago White Sox plan to retire No. 56, the uniform worn by former ace Mark Buehrle.

Buehrle, a four-time All-Star and 2005 championship team member who was 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA in 12 seasons in Chicago, will be honored before a game June 24.