Blue Jays reportedly sign left-handed reliever J.P. Howell to one-year deal

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly landed free-agent left-handed reliever J.P. Howell.

Multiple reports Tuesday said the Blue Jays had signed Howell to a one-year agreement pending physical. The team had not confirmed the deal.

The move would fill a hole left in Toronto’s bullpen by the departure of free-agent lefty Brett Cecil, who agreed to a four-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals early in the off-season.

Howell, who is familiar with the American League East after spending six years with Tampa Bay, pitched the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He was 1-1 with a 4.09 earned-run average through 64 games (50 2/3 innings) with L.A. in 2016, walking 15 batters while striking out 44.

The 33-year-old Howell had a career-best ERA of 1.43 through 44 innings with the Dodgers in 2015.