Brewers to sign reliever Gonzalez

Barring an unexpected snag in his physical exam, the Brewers will begin the New Year with another new bullpen arm.

Two sources confirmed that the Brewers and free agent left-hander Mike Gonzalez have agreed to terms, with one source saying it’s a one-year contract pending a physical exam. Since the team’s offices are closed through New Year’s Day, the deal is not expected to be finalized until the middle of next week at the earliest.

FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal was first to report the agreement on Friday afternoon, and ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden added that Gonzalez will earn $2.25 million plus incentives.

General manager Doug Melvin, who typically does not discuss acquisitions until the physical is complete, would say only that, “We’re closing in.”

Gonzalez, 34, posted a 3.03 ERA in 47 appearances for Washington in 2012, his best ERA since his last season in the NL — 2009 — when he posted a 2.42 ERA in 80 appearances for the Braves.

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