Johnson headed back to Arizona

Randy Johnson is headed back to the Arizona Diamondbacks after two unfulfilling years with the New York Yankees.

The Yankees reached a tentative agreement with Arizona on Thursday to trade Johnson for reliever Luis Vizcaino and three minor leaguers, a move that allows Johnson’s agents to get him a contract extension.

Arizona General Manager Josh Byrnes confirmed what he called “an agreement in principle,” but did not identify the players that would go to the Yankees.

New York would receive Vizcaino and right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Yankees also would pay $2 million of Johnson’s $16-million salary this year.

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By his own admission, Shea Hillenbrand had no contract offers until the Angels extended him one, and even the Angels had no interest until Juan Rivera broke his leg in winter ball.

But Hillenbrand rejects the notion that his well-publicized feud with Toronto Blue Jays management last summer led to the lack of interest among other teams this winter. “It was a conflict of personality with the manager,” Hillenbrand said. “Those things happen all the time.”

With Rivera expected to return sometime this summer, the Angels have not promised Hillenbrand any particular level of playing time, he said, so he could end up on the bench when Rivera returns. “That’s something I’m content with. To be part of a winning team, and to be part of an organization doing everything they can to win, that’s all that matters,” Hillenbrand said.

Hillenbrand hit .287 with 21 home runs last season with the Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants. The Angels signed him for one year, plus a club option for a second year, at a guaranteed $6.5 million.

-- Bill Shaikin

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The Angels designated pitcher Chris Bootcheck for assignment and re-signed outfielder Curtis Pride to a minor league contract.... The Yankees and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz reached a preliminary agreement on a $1.5-million, one-year contract.... Infielder Mark Loretta and the Houston Astros agreed to terms on a $2.5-million, one-year contract.