Rondón, Diamondbacks agree to $3M, 1-year deal

PHOENIX (AP) >> Relief pitcher Héctor Rondón and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal is subject to a successful physical.

Rondón would get a $2.5 million salary next season and would include a a team option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout.

The 31-year-old right-hander is a seven-year veteran who helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016. He pitched last season for the Houston Astros and had a 3.71 ERA over 62 appearances, including one start.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) >> Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo said Wednesday he hopes to return to game action Jan. 29 against the Chicago Bulls.

It’s the first time since Oladipo sustained a season-ending knee injury last January that the team or the two-time All-Star has established a specific date.

And though Oladipo acknowledges nothing is definite, he’s confident he will be able to play against the Bulls.

The two-time All-Star has spent nearly a year working his way back from a ruptured quad tendon that required seasonending surgery and an extensive rehab program. He’s been working out with the team since training camp last fall.

Indiana expects Oladipo to bring scoring and energy to a lineup that has played better than aniticipated without its star player.

NEW YORK (AP) >> Tim Tebow will be at spring training with the New York Mets for the fourth straight year.

The Mets said Thursday the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner will report to major league training camp next month in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The 32-year-old outfielder hit .163 in 77 games last season at Triple-A Syracuse in his second straight injury-shortened season. He did not play after July 21 because he cut his left hand while fielding a ball in the outfield.

Tebow hit .273 with six home runs, 14 doubles and 36 RBIs in 84 games for Double-A Binghamton in 2018, when his season ended July 18 because of a broken bone in his right hand.

After a three-year stint at quarterback in the NFL, he joined the Mets organization in late 2016.