Former Dodgers reliever Juan Nicasio signs with Pirates

Right-handed reliever Juan Nicasio has agreed to a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, one week after he was cut by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 29-year-old Nicasio with 1-3 with a 3.86 ERA and one save for the Dodgers this year in 52 relief appearances and one start, striking out 65 in 58 1/3 innings. He held right-handed hitters to a .226 batting average (35 for 155).

Nicasio is 22-25 with a 4.88 ERA and one save in five big league seasons with Colorado (2011-14) and the Dodgers (2015). He has made 70 starts and 71 relief appearances.

“Juan Nicasio is an experienced pitcher with the pitch repertoire and versatility to fill a variety of roles on our pitching staff,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Thursday. “He had a strong season pitching primarily as a relief pitcher last year and we look forward to Juan’s impact on our major league club.”

Asdrubel Cabrera will join the Mets

Free-agent shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and the New York Mets have agreed to a two-year, $18.5-million contract, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.

Cabrera would be the second middle infielder added by the Mets at the winter meetings after they acquired second baseman Neil Walker from Pittsburgh for left-hander Jon Niese.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal will not be completed until Cabrera passes a physical. The contract also includes an option for 2018.

A 30-year-old switch hitter, Cabrera batted .265 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Cabrera finished at the bottom in several defensive metrics for shortstops, according to Fangraphs.

The two-time All-Star has hit .267 with 102 homers and 509 RBIs in his career with Cleveland (2007-14), Washington (2014) and the Rays.

Sipp stays with Houston

A person familiar with the negotiations said reliever Tony Sipp has agreed to an $18-million, three-year contract to remain with the Houston Astros.

Broxton gets 2 more years with St. Louis

Reliever Jonathan Broxton is staying with the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing to a $7.5-million, two-year contract.

The 31-year-old right-hander gets $3.75 million in each of the next two seasons under the deal announced Thursday, which includes a full no-trade provision.

Bethancourt dealt to San Diego

The Atlanta Braves dealt away young catcher Christian Bethancourt after a disappointing season in which he failed to take advantage of his chance to take over the starting job.

Once hyped as the catcher of the future, the 24-year-old Bethancourt was sent to the San Diego Padres on Thursday for right-handed pitcher Casey Kelly and minor league catcher Ricardo Rodriguez.

Bethancourt began the 2015 season as the No. 1 catcher but got off to a terrible start and wound being demoted to the minors. He returned late in the season, batting .200 with two homers and 12 RBIs.

Etc.

First baseman Mark Reynolds and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $2.6-million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations said.