WASHINGTON (AP) _ Right-hander Dan Haren has agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals.
The NL East champions announced the deal Friday, without giving financial terms. Earlier in the week, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press it would be worth $13 million.
The 32-year-old Haren was a free agent after going 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA in 30 starts for the Los Angeles Angels in 2012. The Angels nearly traded him to the Cubs after the season, then declined their $15.5 million option for 2013.
Haren is 119-97 with a 3.66 ERA with four clubs in the majors and was an All-Star in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
He joins an already formidable Nationals rotation led by Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez.
ST. LOUIS (AP) _ Veteran reliever Randy Choate and the St. Louis Cardinals have finalized a three-year deal for $7.5 million. The 37-year-old lefty split time between the Marlins and Dodgers last season while making a major league-high 80 appearances.
NEW YORK (AP) _ Speedy outfielder Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $2.85 million, one-year contract that avoids salary arbitration.
Gardner can earn $150,000 in performance bonuses under Friday’s deal: $25,000 each for 375, 400, 425, 450, 475 and 500 plate appearances.
Gardner was limited to 31 at-bats last season because of a right elbow injury that sidelined him from mid-April until late September. He made $2.8 million.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) _ A person with knowledge of the negotiations says pitcher Brandon McCarthy has reached agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a two-year contract.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because McCarthy’s deal was pending a physical.
The physical will be especially important for McCarthy, who was Oakland’s opening day starter last season.
McCarthy was hit in the right side of the head by a line drive Sept. 5. The 29-year-old sustained an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture, then underwent a two-hour surgery.
Last month, McCarthy spent two days undergoing extensive evaluations by renowned concussion expert, Dr. Michael Collins, at the University of Pittsburgh. He was cleared by Collins to begin working out and resuming his regular offseason routine.