Indians to sign Matsuzaka

Japanese RHP pitched for Francona in Boston

With at least one spot open in his rotation, new Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona will give a pitcher he knows well a shot to win a starting job.

Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka has agreed to a minorleague contract with Cleveland. Matsuzaka, who pitched for Francona with the Boston Red Sox, must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.

The Indians’ pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Goodyear on Sunday, with physicals scheduled to take place today.

The 32-year-old Matsuzaka has won 50 major-league games since signing a $52 million, six-year contract with Boston as free agent in 2007. Dice-K went 33-15 with a 3.72 ERA in 61 starts for Boston in 2007-08. However, he has been limited to 18 starts and 83 innings the last two seasons after right elbow surgery in 2011.

» The Indians also signed first baseman/designated hitter Jason Giambi to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The 42-year-old Giambi spent Daisuke Matsuzaka has just 18 starts the last two seasons after elbow surgery. JARED WICKERHAM/GETTY IMAGES

Reds

the past three-plus seasons filling a part-time role with the Rockies. The 2000 AL MVP was a mentor to younger players, and he interviewed for Colorado’s managerial position this off-season.

Pitcher Armando Galarraga has agreed to a minor-league contract with Cincinnati and will try to win a job at spring training.

The 31-year-old right-hander was 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in five starts last year with the Houston Astros. When he pitched for Houston on July 28, it was his first major-league appearance since May 16, 2011, for Arizona.

Galarraga has a 26-34 record with a 4.78 ERA in 91 starts and nine relief appearances over six big-league seasons that also included stops in Texas and Detroit.

He lost a perfect game on June 2, 2010, while pitching for Detroit when first-base umpire Jim Joyce called Cleveland’s Jason Donald safe on what replays showed should have been the final out of the game. Joyce admitted after the game that his call was incorrect.

Cubs

Outfielder Scott Hairston finalized a two-year contract with Chicago.

The 32-year-old Hairston hit .263 with a career-high 20 homers, 57 RBIs and 25 doubles last year in his second season with the New York Mets.

He also has played for the Diamondbacks (2004-07), San Diego (2007-09, 2010) and Oakland (2009) during a nine-year big league career.

Hairston has a .247 career average with 95 homers and 279 RBIs.