The Boston Red Sox agreed to terms on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the 2016 season with right-handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa, avoiding salary arbitration.

Tazawa, 29, made 61 appearances out of the bullpen last season, going 2-7 with three saves and a 4.14 ERA. The right-hander appeared in at least 60 games for the third straight year. Signed by Boston as an international free agent in December 2008, Tazawa is 14-18 with four saves and a 3.47 ERA in 249 career major league outings.

The signing leaves left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross Jr. as the only remaining unsigned Red Sox player eligible for salary arbitration.

OWNERS: With worries about terrorism heightened following attacks in France and California, baseball owners began their two-day meeting Wednesday by discussing threat protection with the U.S. Homeland Security secretary.

Presenting more than 2,400 games a year in venues that attract large crowds, Major League Baseball has tightened checks in recent years. Starting last year, fans were required to go through metal detectors at all 30 ballparks.

YANKEES: Owner Hal Steinbrenner said reliever Aroldis Chapman is “innocent until proven otherwise.”

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New York acquired Chapman from Cincinnati last month, after a proposed trade between the Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers came apart when a Florida police investigation into an accusation of domestic violence involving the Cuban left-hander became public.

PADRES: Free agent Fernando Rodney has agreed to a one-year, incentive-laden contract with the Padres, who will give the veteran reliever the opportunity to close. The deal is pending a physical.

ROCKIES: Colorado finalized a $27.5 million, three-year contract with outfielder Gerardo Parra.

MARLINS: Marlins Park will remain pitcher-friendly, but work is underway to make the dimensions less daunting for hitters.

The center field wall is being moved 11 feet closer to home plate and will be 407 feet away this season.


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