Dodgers Sign J.P. Howell

The Dodgers add another arm to the pen with the Howell signing.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the Dodgers have agreed to a one-year contract with left-handed reliever J.P. Howell. The deal is worth about $3 million, plus performance bonuses.

Howell, who will turn 30 in April, had spent the past seven years with the Tampa Bay Rays. He missed all of 2010 after undergoing shoulder surgery and has posted FIP's of 5.41 and 4.78 over the past two years.

This likely spells the end of Paco Rodriguez's chances of making the roster out of spring training. Howell and Scott Elbert figure to be the Dodgers' two lefties in the pen, while Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly should find themselves battling for the final rotation spot this spring.