 Estrada spent almost the entire 2012 season in the starting rotation after a season-ending injury to Chris Narveson and an injury and eventual release of Randy Wolf.As a result, Estrada had the best season of his career, posting a 5-7 record, a 3.64 ERA in 138.1 innings to go along with 143 strikeouts.On January 18, 2013, the Brewers announced they had avoided arbitration with Estrada, signing him to a one-year contract worth $1.955 million.